Internet addiction among children and youth

Posljednjih 20 – ak godina meĎu stručnom, ali i širom javnosti primjećen je porast prekomjernog korištenja interneta djece i mladih. Sve je više slučajeva gdje ono prelazi u patologiju, odnosno ovisnost. Simptomi se ne razlikuju puno od simptoma „klasičnih“ ovisnika, posebice ovisnih o kokainu, heroinu i kocki. Glavne posljedice koje se javljaju su zanemarivanje školskih obveza i izolacija od vršnjaka te one fizičke poput nespavanja, suhih očiju i bolova u leĎima. Ono što brine je činjenica da se razvija u sve mlaĎoj dobi, kada djeca tek počinju razvijati vlastite stavove i identitet. Različite su vrste ovisnosti o internetu od kojih su najrasprostranjenije ovisnosti o društvenim mrežama, pornografiji i videoigricama. Glavni akteri preventivnih mjera su roditelji zajedno sa učiteljima i medijima. Liječenje u RH se provodi u posebnim ustanovama ili odjelima pri Klinikama za psihijatriju.During last 20 years, many experts, but also some public figures have noticed the increasing number of children and youth that exaggerate with the use of Internet. There are more and more cases in which this is above all limits, it becomes an addiction. Those symptoms are not much more different than the symptoms of „classical addicts”, especially those addicted to cocaine, heroine or gambling. Main consequences are: neglecting their school responsibilities, isolation from their peers, but also some physical consequences such as insomnia, problems with eyes or pain in their back. What is concerning is the fact that this develops at a very young age, when children start developing their own attitudes and their identity. There are many addictions to Internet, among which dominate: addiction to social networks, pornography and videogames. The main figures in this prevention are parents, teachers and the media. In Croatia, treatment of this disorder is conducted in special institutions or department of psychological clinics