We usually associate addictions to toxic substances (legal or illegal drugs) that are capable of generating dependence. However, we have also heard of social addictions: Internet addiction is one of them and to talk about this issue we have brought Clara Marco Puche.
This young woman with a degree in Psychology and a specialist in Addiction Psychology, is co-author of the book “Internet and Social Network Addiction. Psychological Treatment ”(Mariano Chóliz and Clara Marco).
As a member of the Research Unit 'Game and Technological Addictions' of the University of Valencia, he carries out programs of prevention and treatment of technological addictions In teenagers and young people.
With Clara we have talked about the excessive or inappropriate use of Social Networks, but also about the advantages of the Internet in the academic field. We have talked about prevention, treatment ... and of course the role of the family in monitoring the use that children make of the Internet.
We hope you like it. Peques and More.- At present, nobody imagines our daily life without using the Internet, and young people have found "suddenly" in Social Networks a very useful tool to socialize. However, sometimes they spend too many hours in front of the computer. Is there an Internet addiction?
Clara Marco.- Indeed, we can no longer imagine our lives without the Internet. New technologies have come to stay, and have become almost a necessity in virtually any field. Teenagers (and adults) find in social networks a useful tool with countless possibilities.
However, we must bear in mind that excessive or inappropriate use can lead to problems. In this sense, from the Research Unit of Game Addiction and Technological Addictions of the Faculty of Psychology (University of Valencia), like many other professionals and researchers, we consider the existence of addictive behaviors that do not involve substance use.
We have conducted several studies in which we find that, in fact, there are teenagers who have Internet dependency criteria (as well as mobile and video games). These criteria consist of using the Internet more and more, feeling bad when it cannot be used, having problems or discussions with family members due to its excessive use, using it too much and causing interference with studies or family relationships, losing control, having difficulties to stop using it ...
PyM.- Internet addiction is considered a social addiction, what are the other addictions of this type? What common characteristics do they have?
C.M.- Internet addiction is considered a behavioral addiction (or non-toxic, social, without drugs ...). Other addictions that would fall into this category are addiction to gambling, sex, work, compulsive shopping ... All of them have a substantial common element, which they also share with drug addictions: dependence. The symptoms that we can observe in all these problems are similar to those that appear in drug addictions.
PyM.- What are the mechanisms by which an addiction can be generated (when there is no substance)?
C.M.- Non-toxic addictions are defined by the fact that there is no dependence on a substance or drug, however, there are other aspects such as tolerance or abstinence that are part of the dependence. What characterizes an addiction is the loss of control and dependence, and this appears both when there is drug use and when it comes to behavioral addiction.
There is a sequence in the development of drug-free addictions, in which the addict in the end does not connect to the Internet for the pleasure of doing it but for the relief he gets when he does it. That is to say, at first he conducts the behavior for pleasure. Gradually the behavior becomes more frequent, the desire increases, negative consequences appear, and the behavior is maintained because it relieves the discomfort.
PyM.- Do you think that the active presence as members of different manifestations of the Internet can end up replacing certain "real life" activities?
C.M.- I would not have to. In fact, one of the main objectives of virtual social networks is the promotion of activities outside the Network itself. Obviously, in the case that an addictive disorder develops, by definition interference with other activities occurs, since this is One of the main characteristics of addictions.
Internet addiction is considered as a behavioral addiction (or non-toxic, social, without drugs ...), it is endowed with an element that is dependence. The symptoms that we can observe in all this and other behavioral addictions are similar to those that appear in drug addictions
PyM.- What are the main consequences in the social and family sphere due to excessive use of the network?
C.M.- Among the main consequences is the fact that the abuse of "new" technologies interferes with the performance of other activities, that is, they stop doing other things. This affects the social and family environment, especially among adolescents. Although the Internet and social networks facilitate and enhance interpersonal relationships, paradoxically, in some cases, their excessive or inappropriate use can lead to a reduction of face-to-face interpersonal relationships and family discussions.
In addition, the Internet and social networks have a whole range of risks. Again, these risks are especially important in adolescence, since at these ages there tends to be an overexposure of personal information; It is attractive to show personal information and be visible to others, but sometimes it is not taken into account that providing personal information and data can pose a danger.
PyM.- As a social addiction professional, could you tell us to what extent the use of the Internet affects the evolution and academic performance of adolescents?
C.M.- It is clear that the Internet has many advantages, and it also has them in the academic field. Internet is the main source of information, and access is also instantaneous and unlimited. It is a tool that can facilitate learning, skills development, and also constitutes a source of motivation. All this also has its possible negative side, the information on the network is not always reliable, or it is easy for the student to be distracted doing other things on the Internet by taking time away from studying.
When it comes to academic performance, the Internet does not have to be a problem, and in reality only in some cases (in those where there is a problem) can it interfere and imply a decrease in the results.
PyM.- What obvious signs would make us think of a possible addiction related to Internet and Social Networks?
C.M.- There are different signs that could indicate that the teenager is losing control, for example, spending too much time connected to the Internet on the computer or mobile, using the Internet at times when it is not appropriate to do so (for example, until the wee hours of the morning ), that the use of the network removes hours of sleep, isolation, lies about the time spent, irritability when Internet access is restricted, a reduction in academic performance, or neglecting other important activities (relationships with friends, studies ... ).
The role of parents is fundamental in preventing possible problems related to the inappropriate use of Social Networks. Parents are the ones who spend more time with the kids, they must monitor their use of new technologies, set limits and rules of use, and they can detect possible problems early.
PyM.- And when one of these social addictions is diagnosed, what does the treatment usually consist of?
C.M.- We have recently published a book “Internet and Social Network Addiction. Psychological Treatment ”(Mariano Chóliz and Clara Marco), which includes the treatment protocol that we believe should be applied in these cases. It is a protocol that is based on the treatment that already existed for other non-toxic addictions (such as gambling). In the case of technological addictions the objective is not that the person does not use the Internet again, but that he can do so in a controlled way.
At first it is essential to reduce the time of use and reduce the need to use it (the desire), for this it trains in different techniques of impulse control and alternative activities to the use of the Internet. Then, it is about educating and training in the rational and controlled use of the Internet and social networks, and finally, work on relapse prevention. All this can be done individually, but the role of the family, especially when it comes to minors, is essential. Group treatment is also contemplated.
PyM.- What can be done from the family to prevent this phenomenon? Is the role of parents decisive?
C.M.- From the Research Unit, a program of prevention of technological addictions (PrevTec 3.1) has been developed to apply in the educational field, through which it is intended to inform, sensitize and promote healthy use patterns of the use of technologies.
The program aims to ensure that children and adolescents are aware of the advantages and possible problems of these tools, and to offer guidelines for their proper use (for example, to establish Internet usage times, always respect meal times and rest, plan ahead what is going to be done on the Internet and on social networks, or carry out alternative activities). We also contemplate work with parents.
Of course, the role of parents is fundamental in both prevention and treatment. In the case of prevention, parents are the ones who spend more time with the kids, they must supervise the use they make of the new technologies, establish limits and rules of use, and they can detect possible problems early. In treatment, parents also play an important role, since many of the strategies taught have to be implemented at home, and often require external control.
PyM.- We all believe in the possibilities of the Internet, and we recognize it as a useful tool in several areas, we also know that related problems are caused by misuse. How from society can we protect children from addiction or other problems that may arise?
C.M.- With proper use on your part, it implies the use of the Internet not only in a healthy way, but also in a safe way. It is convenient to keep a schedule of use, combine it with other alternative activities, be very attentive to the personal information that is given, and so on. Parents and educators should be vigilant of problems that may appear in minors and to avoid both addiction and Internet harassment. Of course the best is the application of prevention programs in the educational field, since education is the fundamental pillar of our society.
Once the interview is over, we thank Clara Marco, not only for collaborating with us in this interview, but also for her work in the Research Unit 'Game and Technological Addictions' of the University of Valencia. Surely your activity serves to help many young people and their families. It has been a pleasure.
