Are children getting addicted to the Internet?

With such a large proportion of households in the UK having broadband access many children go online on a regular basis these days, but some are concerned that UK kids may be getting addicted to the Internet.

Many of today’s kids have been brought up using broadband services, and with so many households in the UK now having broadband access a rising number of younger people have been using broadband services on a regular basis. In fact according to recent figures a massive seventy seven percent of people aged between sixteen and twenty four log onto the Internet on a daily basis.

These days youngsters take advantage of having broadband access for many different things. Of course, having this type of technology available is great for allowing younger users to conduct research for school or college projects and enhance their education. It is also a good way for many of them to socialise with their friends through the use of social networking sites and via email and MSN.

However, there are also concerns that some younger people may be getting obsessed with being online, either spending all of their time gaming online or spending too much time on social networking sites such as Facebook and other chat room sites.

Some parents have spoken about their teenage kids who have taken to locking themselves away in their rooms with the curtains drawn and have even been eating their meals up in their rooms as they continually game or go about their online business. This is leading to a variety of problems, including unhealthy weight gain and social problems. One mother spoke about her gaming obsessed son, stating: ‘The problem is that my son sits in a darkened room all day and would happily sit there every day for the rest of his life.’

Source – Times Online