Hooked: Cyberdependency or cyberaddiction?
You may have heard the words “cyberdependency,” “cyberaddiction,” and “Internet dependency.” They all refer to excessive or problematic use of the Internet, social media, or video games. Do you think it might affect you?
To remember
👉 Internet addiction is a real problem that can have significant impacts on your life.
👉 Don't hesitate to ask for help if you think you need support to better manage your use of the Internet, video games, or social media.
It's not always easy to find your way! Here are some questions to help you assess your own virtual usage.
Here are some things to think about
Do you enjoy other activities?
Apart from video games or the Internet, do you have a variety of sources of enjoyment and interest in your life?
Are you in control of your time?
Do you feel that you can reduce or change the amount of time you spend online, depending on the context? For example, can you tell yourself: I have a lot of homework today so I won’t play. Or: My friends have invited me to go to the movies so I’ll play later on.
Have you noticed any negative impacts?
Does the time you spend on this activity have an impact on your school results or your relationship with your family?
Do you prefer the virtual world over real life?
Do you give priority to activities with friends or family, or do you prefer to play or surf in the virtual world?
Need to talk about it?
If some of these questions make you think or if you have doubts, don't hesitate to consult these articles which provide you with information on cyber addiction and advice to better manage your virtual usage.
You can also contact us at Tel-jeunes: we are here to listen to you, support you, and direct you towards the right resources if you need them.
