The Addiction of Internet, Games, and Smart Phones are now an Important Problem of the Psychology Field

Academician of European University of Lefke (EUL) Department of Psychology Assist. Prof. Dr. Cemaliye Direktör made some statements on the concept of “Internet and Game addiction in Adolescents”.

Direktör said that “Adolescence has been a confusing period for centuries. Many problems experienced by adolescents in transition from childhood to adulthood have been shaped by social values. The discoveries made by the adolescent with the need to reveal their own existence and self-identification have been perceived by the society as a turbulent period” and added that the rapid change in today’s life has a much greater impact on the life of the adolescent. Direktör also said that “Technology has developed rapidly and offers unlimited information in the cyber space, daily life has led to the transfer of cyber space. Being in the virtual environment has become a substitute for discovering the real me and enjoying the richness of unreal masks with temporary and false identities”. She further underlined that an ideological self-mechanism is created through cyber space and that violence, pleasure and new experiences began to be experienced through virtual experiences.

Direktör: Expressing oneself with social media and getting the admiration that is always needed makes the internet indispensable

Direktör said that “The feelings of anxiety, dislike, and inadequacy that real life offers them; natural conflicts with parents have been replaced by the unlimited “victory” and “created self” offered by the game and the internet. Expressing oneself with social media and getting the admiration that is always needed makes the internet indispensable”. She further stated that children fulfill the desire of heroism which is observed since childhood is eliminated via games, express the acts of violence since it’s not the real life, instead of tackling the challenges of everyday life through games, they prove themselves hundreds of times thanks to repetitive games and added that the popularity that children could not achieve among their friends is provided by the leadership in the game and that all the desires that they actually desire are obtained through the virtual environment. She further stated that due to these returns instead of hobbies that will while away the time, it is more appealing for children to spend time with the created identity and added that this world, in which the children are given the freedom they want, idealize, do not cause anxiety, makes it possible to create and can be hidden as desired, also makes it possible for the unpredictable problems of the virtual environment to emerge.

Studies show that internet and gaming addiction is increasing in adolescents

Direktör stated that “In recent years, behavior oriented addictions such as internet, gaming and smartphone addiction have become an important problem in the field of psychology. In the studies conducted with adolescents, it has been seen that addiction, which was 12% in 2004, increased to 41% in recent years and this number is increasing with each new study” and added that the percentages related to game addiction were similar but also they are related to bullying behaviors and feelings of loneliness. Direktor also said that “Spending more time than planned, not being able to fulfill other responsibilities or not having time to do, doing intellectual activities related to the game or the internet while dealing with another job, playing the game started for five minutes without being noticed, and experiencing unrest when the game or internet cannot be accessed is expressed as addiction” and added that Susan emphasized that the problems that the internet would create are very large since internet and game addictions are accessible and accepted by people and therefore individuals who cannot control themselves should get help from experts.