Hours and hours spent on the Internet, always with my cell phone in hand. When videos or online games become an obsession, there is cause for concern. On the occasion of World Safer Internet Day tomorrow, Sinpia, the Italian Society of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, underlines the importance of the conscious use of the Internet by children and adolescents and of active and responsible role of parents.
According to the data of a recent study carried out by the National Center for Addiction and Doping of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, it emerges that between 11 and 17 years the risk of disorder from the use of video games involves as many as 12% of students (around 480,000 Italian students) . The male gender is more affected.
“It is important not to demonize video games – underlines Elisa Fazzi, president of Sinpia – since they can also offer unique opportunities for the learning and development of children and adolescents, to promote cognitive and social skills, offering opportunities for fun and the possibility to create imaginative scenarios. At the same time it is necessary to be aware that excessive or inappropriate use can have a negative impact on the mental health and well-being of children, especially the youngest. For this reason, parents and reference adults play a crucial role in ensuring that children and adolescents maintain a healthy balance between play and other important activities, such as studying, social interaction and exercise.” Worsening in studies and social isolation can represent alarm bells for a parent. The rules of use must be shared and clear, but at the same time flexible to progressively reshape with growth.
“In this scenario – specifies Antonella Costantino, past president of Sinpia – the construction of a shared agreement with children on the time that can be spent with video games and on screens or the avoidance of their use during meals (even by parents themselves) is only part of it, as is avoiding use in the hour before bed”.
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