Okay, first up, the facts: the Capio Nightingale Hospital is a private facility in Central London; they have recently opened up a rehabilitation clinic for children who are addicted to using the internet. Patients admitted into the clinic range from the ages of 12 to 17 years old.
This is a good thing. After all, it is the first time that professionals are acknowledging the presence of a problem and are doing something about it. The cases handled here range from children with usage addictions (there are those who even react violently to not being able to use a computer) to those who have been victimized by cyber bullying.
The clinic serves as the perfect place for children with internet addiction problems to learn about living life offline, without having to rely on their gadgets and being able to enjoy normal social interactions. The treatment is not certain to change the behavior of a child however, as internet usage is not a chemical induced addiction.
This is simply a way to give children a choice. For some kids, the internet was the only option they had –turning to the preference into a severe addiction. By allowing children to recognize the difference between real life and the internet, they are given the gift of choice.
For parents however, the presence of such a clinic is not one of hope, but a warning to take care of their children more. Above all else, it is a parent’s responsibility to educate their children no matter how stubborn or uncooperative a child may be. No form of sheltering or parental control on media would ever prevent a child from being exposed to the things around us –it is only with proper guidance that children learn to deal with the things they will confront in their lives.
Get to know more about internet addiction at Times Online UK.
Tags: Internet-Addiction