Training Kit on the Impact of the Internet on Mental Health
The internet has become an inseparable part of our daily lives, providing us with easy and quick access to information and communication with others around the world. Despite the many benefits the internet provides, it has also affected individuals' mental health.
The Importance of the Internet for Human Life:
There are many benefits of the internet that are clearly apparent in our lives, such as: finding jobs easily and without effort, as the internet is considered one of the easiest current means of communication without any effort.
Advantages of the Internet:
Fast Communication:
The internet has now become one of the best methods used that allows people to communicate with each other with ease.
Mapping and Location Determination:
It has now become easy to reach any place without needing facilities.
Providing Some Knowledge, and Learning Through It:
There is now the possibility of distance learning by using the internet.
Causes of Internet Addiction:
-
Anonymity:
The ability that the internet provides to obtain information, ask questions and get to know people without needing to introduce oneself with real details provides a pleasant feeling of control.
-
Convenience:
The internet is an extremely convenient medium, usually available at home or at work, and does not require leaving the house, travelling or using excuses in order to use it.
-
Escape:
Like a good book or an exciting film, the internet provides an escape from reality into an alternative reality.
The Impact of the Internet on Children:
Exposure to Deviance:
Many children have begun entering the world of the internet in a manner closer to addiction, and some families may ignore this problem, believing that the internet has great benefits for children as it is an excellent source of information and education. However, children spending long hours in front of the web without awareness or supervision makes them vulnerable to deviance and may put them in serious trouble.
Loss of Self-Confidence:
One of the most important negatives of the internet on children is that it works to erode the child's self-confidence and weaken their personality, and it also exposes the child to encountering many ideas, some of which are mistaken, especially strange beliefs and cultures that are not compatible with their society and environment.
The Impact of the Internet on Adolescents:
The impact on young people's behaviours; which reduces their self-confidence, and causes feelings of embarrassment, and discomfort in dealing with the environment around them.
The use of the internet may hinder adults' and adolescents' physical and mental activities; which increases the likelihood of their exposure to various health problems, such as obesity and brain function disorders.
Increasing adolescents' feeling of lethargy; due to the provision of comfort and the saving of time and effort in providing information, and using the internet.
Psychologists and social workers, school counsellors, and parents interested in mental health.