One of the most prevalent problems today is digital addiction. It can have detrimental effects on students’ lives. Digital education expert Dr. Feyyaz Öztop shared tips for parents to protect their children from digital addiction.
The expert’s statements are as follows:
Today, we see the widespread use of digital devices like smartphones and
computers. While these devices can be beneficial to human life, we can also see that
they can have some harmful effects. One of the most common problems we
encounter in many families is addiction to digital devices. Digital addiction can be
defined as the uncontrolled, constant use of devices in a way that negatively impacts
life. Because of the pleasure they provide, individuals can’t stop using these devices.
They also find themselves unable to fully enjoy themselves when they’re not using
digital devices.
One group where digital addiction is most prevalent is school-aged students.
Digital addiction can have significant consequences for students’ health and lives. It
can disrupt their ability to acquire information, lead to lower academic achievement,
and prevent them from acquiring the basic skills necessary for daily and professional
life. Due to its numerous harmful effects, digital addiction must be combated. It is
clear that parents play the most important role in combating digital addiction in
children and adolescents.
It’s important to understand that the steps taken to combat students’ digital
addiction vary slightly. Students cannot be completely banned from using digital
devices, as they may use them for schoolwork. Therefore, limited use of digital devices should be permitted, and guidance and supervision should be provided
where necessary.
Before embarking on all these processes, it would be effective for parents to
discuss these issues with their children, explain their reasons, and reach an
agreement with them. This way, children can better understand the reasons behind
the changes and better adhere to the agreements. They can implement guidance,
limits, and supervision around time, content, and space. When planning time, if a
student has developed a habit of using digital tools for extended periods, I
recommend gradually reducing them. This can be more effective. I also recommend
distributing their use throughout the day rather than using them all at once. When
planning content, I recommend that students use only the digital content they need.
They can be assured of using ad-free, reliable digital content prepared by experts.
Restricting certain spaces, such as bedrooms and dining areas, will also help reduce
digital tool use.
To prevent digital addiction, it’s recommended to take steps not only for digital
environments but also for physical environments. This is because individuals’ inability
to derive sufficient enjoyment from physical activities, or the lack of physical
opportunities to provide them with sufficient enjoyment, can lead them to turn to
digital media. Students may become addicted to digital media because they
experience greater levels of competition, a sense of accomplishment, and
appreciation in the digital environment. This can be prevented by providing students
with alternative ways to enjoy themselves in the physical environment. Furthermore,
digital tools can be seen as a tool or a refuge for forgetting real-life problems. Parents
can help students overcome real-life challenges and reduce their tendency to use digital tools.
