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The Signs of Digital Addiction: How Parents Can Recognize If Their Child Is Affected
In the past, it was phone cards that provided access to digital communication - today it is the smartphone. But it is not just cell phones that shape the digital lives of children and young people. Consoles such as the Nintendo Switch and gaming in general have also taken a firm place in their everyday lives. These devices are much more than a means of communication; they provide entertainment and create virtual worlds that children and young people are always drawn to. But what happens when the use of these devices becomes an addiction? What effect does it have on the psychological development of children and young people if they spend more time on smartphones and consoles than on real social interactions? And how can parents recognize and respond to an addiction?
How does digital addiction manifest itself? – Symptoms and signs
The symptoms of digital addiction are often insidious and not immediately apparent in children and young people because digital devices have become a natural part of their lives. Nevertheless, there are signs that can indicate the development of an addiction.
Psychological symptoms:
Constantly asking about the device: A noticeable sign of addiction is when the child or young person constantly asks about the smartphone, console or other devices, even when they are busy doing other things. The absence of the device often leads to restlessness or frustration.
Neglect of other activities: If the child loses the joy of previous hobbies or social activities such as playing with friends, sports or creative pursuits and instead focuses on the digital device, this is a clear sign of increasing addiction.
Neglect of school obligations: A typical feature of addiction is the neglect of school tasks such as homework as time spent on smartphones or gaming continues to expand.
Constant thoughts about the device: Older teenagers, but also younger children who have already developed a certain level of media literacy, may find themselves mentally returning to the device again and again, even during other activities. Constantly thinking about when they can interact with the device again shows that it is more than just a habit. They "live" in a constant exchange between digital worlds and the real world, which can often lead to cognitive overload.
Physical symptoms:
Lack of sleep and tiredness: Another sign is lack of sleep. Children and young people who spend long periods of time on their smartphone or console often have difficulty going to bed on time, which leads to constant tiredness and poor concentration. Sleep disorders are a common symptom of digital addiction.
Changed drinking and eating habits: Addictive behavior, especially excessive gaming or smartphone use, can also lead to irregular eating and drinking habits. Children and adolescents often forget to eat or drink very little because they are immersed in the digital world. On the other hand, emotional eating can also occur, especially with frustrating or long-term gaming behavior.
Headaches and eye strain: Many children and young people complain of eye problems or headaches due to long periods of staring at the screen, whether while gaming or scrolling through their smartphone. These are physical consequences of too much screen time.
Studies and sources:
Przybylski & Weinstein (2017), Psychological Science : This study examines the relationship between screen time and sleep disturbances and social difficulties in adolescents.
King et al. (2018), Current Psychiatry Reports : This study examines the signs of gaming addiction and the effects of excessive gaming on adolescent behavior.
What happens in the brain when you use your smartphone and gaming excessively? Smartphone addiction
The effects of smartphones and consoles on the brain are complex and include both positive and negative aspects. The digital world, in which young people in particular access smartphones, gaming and social media, has the potential to change the brain and encourage a form of "digital addiction".
Activating the reward system in the brain
With every new message or every advance in the game, the brain's reward system is activated, resulting in the release of dopamine. This so-called "reward feeling" creates a pleasant state and is a key mechanism that drives young people to use their smartphones or consoles again and again. Once the brain has experienced this "reward kick", the need to repeat this feeling becomes stronger. This is why it is difficult to break away from the devices. This constant "urge for more" ensures that using digital devices often becomes a habit - even when the child or young person actually wants to take a break.
Gaming and social media – risk of addiction
The constant availability of games and social media is a decisive factor in the development of addiction. Especially in young people who spend hours immersed in games such as "Fortnite", "Minecraft" or "League of Legends" or are constantly on social platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat or TikTok, the brain is continually rewarded. In games, progress such as "kills" in "Call of Duty", level-ups in "Fortnite" or daily rewards in "Clash of Clans" are immediately rewarded, which entices young people to spend more and more time in front of the screen. TikTok further reinforces this behavior by constantly offering users new videos through the "endless feed" - always a little reward boost.
This cycle can lead to the child or young person spending more and more time in front of the device and making it more difficult to control their use. For teenagers in particular, the use of social media and gaming becomes a central part of their lives, increasingly displacing their own social relationships, school duties and interests.
media content and its effects
Another aspect of digital use is the type of media content that children and young people come into contact with. Young people are becoming increasingly desensitized to violence, particularly in violent online games such as "Grand Theft Auto," "Call of Duty," or "Fortnite." In these games, aggressive actions are not only normalized, but sometimes rewarded. Constant exposure to violence and extreme scenes can desensitize the perception of violence and its consequences in real life. This not only affects behavior within games, but also the emotional response to real conflicts or violent events in everyday life.
In social media such as Instagram or TikTok, psychological reinforcement mechanisms such as "likes", "comments" and "shares" come into play. These mechanisms reinforce the need for social validation and belonging. The constant validation in the form of "likes" or positive comments is perceived as a reward, which further encourages the use of social media. But this constant pressure to present oneself reinforces the feeling of "missing out" or "not being able to keep up" when others seem to lead perfect lives.
The constant confrontation with idealized representations of other people's lives leads to a "pressure to compare," which reinforces the need to always be available and online in order to "keep up." The constant availability of information, trends, and news on social media, which you can never "switch off," also plays a role in the development of digital addiction.
Long-term effects on the brain
Long-term use of smartphones and consoles can lead to not only psychological but also physical changes in the brain. These mainly affect areas such as the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decisions, impulse control and concentration.
overload of the prefrontal cortex
The constant use of digital devices, especially over long periods of time, can lead to an overload of the prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain is responsible for planning, making decisions, controlling impulses and processing information. The constant stimulation of smartphones and consoles overwhelms this area.
The result: young people have increasing difficulty concentrating, completing tasks and controlling impulses. Another symptom is a decrease in attention span - which, in a world characterized by constantly new stimuli, leads to an increasing inability to focus on a task for longer periods of time.
change in social perception
Another aspect is the impairment of social perception. The constant use of digital communication - whether through text messages, social networks or in online gaming worlds - makes it more difficult for children and young people to develop empathy or correctly interpret non-verbal cues. The lack of direct, face-to-face communication in the real world can lead to difficulties in social interaction. Children who communicate predominantly digitally may have problems reacting appropriately and acting empathetically in social situations. In extreme cases, this can lead to a lack of social skills that affects later life.
What can parents do? – Recommendations for action and strategies
In order to find a healthy balance between the use of digital devices and real-world activities, it is important for parents to take action. They can help their children develop responsible use of smartphones, consoles and other digital devices.
1. Regulate screen time: Parents can work with their children to set fixed times for using smartphones and consoles.
2. Ban devices from bedrooms: A "digital night ban" can help improve sleep and prevent the child or teenager from gaming or chatting at night. Devices should be kept out of the bedroom, especially before bedtime.
3. Spending time together without digital devices: The family should regularly introduce screen-free times, for example during dinner or when playing games together. This promotes interpersonal communication and strengthens family bonds.
4. Open communication and role modeling: Parents should talk openly with their children about digital use and act as role models themselves. If parents do not reflect on their own screen time, children are more likely to adopt the same behavior.
5. Monitor usage: There are various apps that help parents monitor their children's screen time. Tools like Google's Family Link or iOS' Screen Time offer ways to control app usage and screen time.
The middle way: what works and what doesn’t?
The use of digital devices should be done with caution, as every child reacts differently to screen time. Parents must carefully assess their child's individual needs and reactions to find a healthy balance.
What's up:
Digital communication: Devices can be a valuable way to stay connected with friends and family, especially when in-person meetings are not possible. Video calls and chats promote healthy interactions when used appropriately.
Creative and social games: Games like Minecraft or Animal Crossing encourage creative thinking and collaboration. They help children develop problem-solving skills while having fun.
Communal, screen-free family times: These times promote family bonding. Activities such as board games, walks or cooking together strengthen communication and well-being.
Learning apps and online educational offerings: Digital media can enrich learning by providing interactive and interdisciplinary offerings that arouse children's interest and curiosity.
What doesn't work:
Excessive use of social media and gaming: These should not crowd out school commitments, sports , creativity or personal relationships. When children are constantly distracted, they miss out on valuable developmental opportunities.
Gaming or chatting at night: When digital media is used during the night, it often leads to a lack of sleep. For children in particular, sufficient sleep is crucial for their recovery and development.
The right amount of gaming – what is too much?
Ideal screen time depends on the child's age and needs, but there are general guidelines:
Younger children (under 12 years old): Screen time should be limited to a maximum of 1-2 hours per day. Too much gaming can lead to irritability and difficulty concentrating.
Teens (ages 12 and up): 2 hours of screen time per day is fine, as long as parents are attentive to the child's reactions. For some teens, just one hour of gaming can cause exhaustion, while others can handle more time without any problems.
Parents should observe how the child reacts to digital media and adjust usage to avoid overstimulation or overload.
Conclusion: A healthy use of digital devices – the responsibility of parents
Digital devices such as smartphones, gaming consoles and social media offer many advantages, but can also pose a risk to the psychological and social development of children and young people. Healthy use is possible if parents take action, set clear rules and seek dialogue with their children.
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