Chances are, we all spend a little too much time on the internet. Sometimes, it’s work related. However, most of the time, we will be Facebooking or reading news on our favorite news site. This may sound very mundane. But there is a collective body of people who may be having issues with internet addiction. We are currently seeing a growing number of teen internet addiction treatment centers in California. That should serve as a hint as to who is the most vulnerable among us.
Why So Many Teen Internet Addiction Treatment Centers In California?
Numbers generally don’t lie. The most recent numbers about teenage internet use indicate more than 90% of all teenagers go online at least once a day. Even more troubling is the fact that almost 25% of those teenagers report spending most of their free time on such activities. Assuming these numbers are real, it becomes clear why we need so many teen internet addiction treatment centers in California.
Keeping those numbers in mind, here’s what’s most troubling. These numbers are on the rise. It’s affecting school testing scores and causing several issues for society as a whole. If our brightest kids are spending time in a teen internet addiction treatment center Califonia offers, are we headed for trouble?
The Signs of Teen Internet Addiction
How would we know a child needs help from an adolescent addiction treatment center?
Like any other addiction, they are very definite signs that an addiction exists. Keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at signs we can use to diagnose teen internet addiction.
Preoccupation with the Internet – Even when not online, the teen will spend an inordinate amount of time talking about internet happenings.
Increasing Time Online – The teen starts showing signs they need to spend more time online before they are happy with their internet session.
Difficulty Stopping – When faced with responsibilities like going to school or doing homework, the teen will have difficulty leaving their device to focus on something else.
Changes in Emotions and Attitude – As the amount of time they spend online increases, they will typically start showing signs of depression, anxiety, moodiness, and defiance.
Ignoring Relationships – Time spent on the internet is time not spent with family and friends. Eventually, the teen’s relationships with these people will start to diminish.
Lying About Internet Use – When parents or authority figures question their internet use, the teen will lie and hide to facilitate going online.
Performance Issues – There will be a noticeable drop in the the teen’s performance levels at school, in sports and when asked to handle responsibilities at home.
Treating Teen Internet Addiction
It’s important to remember we are talking about a legitimate addiction. The only viable place the teen is going to be able to get help in a place like an adolescent treatment center in Los Angeles.
The most likely mode of treatment would include evidence based modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. The objective would be helping the teen recognize the destructive nature of their behavior, prompting them to make better choices.
If your teen appears to have an internet addiction, you need to get them help. If you live in the LA area, top teen internet addiction treatment centers in California would be your best option.
