Addiction to Technology: A Danger Threatening Children and Leading Them to Violence

Ahmed Bajoaim – Sawt Al-Amal (Voice of Hope)

Social media and modern technology have become ubiquitous in the 21st century, deeply integrated into the lives of even children. However, as dependence on these tools increases, they bring with them side effects and serious consequences that cannot be ignored. This growing concern within society includes the rising crime rates among children due to their excessive and negative use of technology.

Specialized studies and reports in this field have revealed a strong link between the increased use of technology and the spread of certain dangerous behavioral patterns among young people, such as cyberbullying, extortion, exposure to inappropriate content, and incitement to violence, among other behaviors that contradict proper child upbringing. This report delves into how social media and technology impact children’s behavior, the factors contributing to the spread of this phenomenon, and highlights the role of parents and society in addressing this challenge.

The Impact of Technology on Children 

Dr. Iman Al-Ahmadi, a sociology professor at Hadhramaut University, believes that the use of social media under various names unexpectedly affects children’s lives, particularly their physical and mental health, and their inability to control themselves or their movements. It also causes a lack of concentration and attention due to sleep deprivation. Additionally, children’s use of technology is a primary cause of their psychological instability, leading to feelings of depression and anxiety, as well as eating disorders and weakened communication and social relationships, ultimately resulting in self-isolation from their surrounding environment.

Psychologist Hamda Bahamid also points out that the widespread use of technology in our current time has significantly impacted our daily lives, with children being the most attracted to these modern tools. Many of them spend most of their time using them, which negatively affects their skills, principles, and behavior. Spending long hours in front of phone or television screens leads to reduced concentration and a sense of laziness.

She added, “Moreover, a child addicted to technology may adopt false values and ethics propagated by some social media platforms. This can lead to social isolation and an inability to integrate with others, which may later cause the child to engage in aggressive behaviors towards those around them. This could even escalate into committing a crime in the future.”

In the same context, Rawia Al-Jabari, a social specialist at the Hope Center for Counseling and Psychological Support, stated, “Technology has a significant impact on children, both positively and negatively. On the positive side, it opens up new horizons for children to learn about the developments of the modern age. However, on the negative side, it could lead to behavioral changes if used improperly. Therefore, it’s essential to monitor the child’s use of technology, observe their behavior, work on correcting it, and try to reduce their use of these platforms by finding alternatives.”

The Spread of Violence

A report by “Al-Jazeera Documentary” in September 2022 titled “Internet Children: Deadly Dangers Lurking Behind Screens for the Future Generation” pointed out that two-thirds of internet users worldwide are children. Technology creates a dangerous environment for them, as they are lured into committing deviant acts such as sexual activities, hatred, addiction to pornography, religious extremism, and exposure to cyberbullying, which can cause psychological issues that affect the child for life.

Dr. Al-Ahmadi noted that the main reasons for children’s addiction to social media are family problems, which push them to escape their painful reality, or a lack of skills to solve some of the issues they face, such as weak decision-making regarding their future, poor life planning, or difficulty adapting to their surrounding environment. These challenges, often stemming from harsh circumstances, can lead to violent behavior toward themselves or others.

She continued, “To prevent a child from resorting to violence, several measures must be taken. These include acknowledging the existence of the problem, as many children addicted to technology do not recognize it. Then, individual therapy should be provided to the child addicted to technology, followed by group therapy and family therapy, along with psychological and social support from specialists.”

Hamda Bahamid also explained that a child may exhibit violent behaviors towards others due to the portrayal of such behaviors as positive or heroic on social media, leading some children to imitate them. This can result in the spread of so-called child crimes, such as fraud and deception, using tricks promoted by some social media platforms through apps or modern games.

Similarly, Rawia Al-Jabri mentioned that excessive use of technology can affect children mentally and psychologically, making them more addicted to the internet. This incorrect viewing can lead to depression, anxiety, and an inability to coexist with those around them, which are indicators that the child may drift towards aggressive behaviors, making it easier for them to commit acts that could be classified as crimes.

Children’s Addiction Globally

An “Al-Jazeera Documentary” report confirmed that children’s addiction to the internet increased during the COVID-19 pandemic due to being confined to their homes, which exposed them to the risk of harm. According to the report, numerous studies have shown a concerning rise in cyberbullying among children worldwide. One in three children faces bullying, and one in five has stopped attending school due to online violence.

In a statistic mentioned in a 2022 report by the cybersecurity company “McAfee,” 80% of children experienced bullying on Instagram. While, the number of bullying and violence cases reached 50% on Facebook, TikTok, and Snapchat during the same year.

Effects of Addiction and Treatment Methods

Dr. Al-Ahmadi believes that the most prominent effects of children’s internet addiction are psychological and mental, including low self-esteem, a lack of desire for social interactions, and a preoccupation with unproductive matters. This addiction also fosters feelings of envy as children compare their lives to the seemingly perfect lives of others. Physical effects include eye strain from staring at screens for extended periods, speech difficulties, and reduced physical activity, all of which impact overall health.

She added that there are social effects that generally affect children, such as fostering hostility and violence in interactions with others, declining academic performance, and living in isolation from those around them. On the positive side, internet use can increase a child’s knowledge by exposing them to different cultures, enhance critical thinking, creativity, and analytical skills, particularly through playing certain games, and boost their creative drawing abilities.

Regarding treatment methods, Al-Ahmadi suggests that these involve activating the role of social and psychological specialists in schools and organizations focused on children’s welfare. These methods include raising community awareness about the dangers of children’s internet addiction and providing psychological and social support to addicted children to alleviate psychological and social pressures.

In turn, Bahamid stated, “The role of the psychological specialist or family counselor is crucial in creating a plan to modify the behaviors of both parents and children in their interactions with social media. The specialist’s role is important and influential in activating family oversight of children’s use of these platforms, determining appropriate usage times, and enabling age-appropriate applications. Additionally, it’s essential to fill children’s free time with beneficial activities that help foster social relationships with others, such as sports and other activities. Parents should also strive to be good role models in their use of modern technologies, demonstrating positive ways to integrate them into everyone’s lives.”

Al-Jabri highlights the key roles that specialists must play to mitigate and reduce the impacts of technology use on children. These roles include educating parents about the dangers of allowing children to use technology at an early age due to its negative effects on a child’s psyche and well-being. Specialists also emphasize the importance of encouraging children to read, develop their skills through engaging in useful activities, provide them with enough freedom to participate in sports, and ensure they watch educational programs that promote positive and creative thinking.

In conclusion, to ensure children’s safety and well-being, parents, educators, and authorities must work together. This includes providing guidance on responsible technology use, raising awareness about potential risks, and offering support to prevent criminal behavior. Collaborative efforts from families, schools, and the community are essential for creating a safe and healthy environment for children to thrive.