KUALA LUMPUR: A worrying "side effect" of the ongoing movement control is the growing addiction to smart devices among children and adolescents.
Although there is a lack of data as no studies have been carried out on this issue in Malaysia, psychiatrists are seeing more cases of young patients who are hooked on gadgets such as smartphones, tablets and computers and manifesting signs of Internet gaming addiction (IGA) or Internet gaming disorder, and anxiety disorder comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD).
According to International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) consultant psychiatrist Associate Prof Dr Nora Mat Zin, one of the knock-on effects of staying indoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and enforcement of movement control since March last year has been the "massive increase in the use of gadgets and screen time among children".
"Children are using their computers and Internet for their PdPR (home-based teaching and learning) sessions but they are also getting distracted by online games and social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and so on," she said.
Pointing to a case she had handled recently, Dr Nora said the nine-year-old patient, diagnosed with IGA, had undergone behavioural changes and was aggressive, restless, agitated and preoccupied with her smartphone and Internet games.
"The most common issue raised by parents who consulted me during the pandemic is gadget addiction among their children," she added.
Dr Nora shared this during her session on Internet Use and Mental Health of Schoolchildren at the 3rd virtual World Congress on Integration and Islamicisation 2021 organised by IIUM on June 6.
Dr Nora, who is head of department at the College of Medicine at IIUM's Kuantan Campus, said parents can observe the signs of IGA on their children and that the signs can be presented via physical and emotional manifestations.
"For IGA, some of the common signs are the child is always with the smartphone and preoccupied with Internet games, as well as aggressive, agitated and has sleep disturbances and don't prioritise their meals. They also have poor focus (when it comes to their studies) and refuse to socialise with friends," she said.
She said children who already suffer from social anxiety and depression would inevitably spend more time on their gadgets and Internet games during the movement control period, which can lead to anxiety disorder comorbid MDD.
Besides manifesting similar symptoms as IGA, these children may also be prone to self-harm to reduce their anxiety and mild depressive symptoms although they know it is unacceptable behaviour, she said.
"The Internet offers them a way to escape painful feelings or troubling situations... (these children) sacrifice their sleeping hours and withdraw from others to escape into a comfortable online world that they have created and shaped," said Dr Nora.
Children who spend too much time on digital devices can suffer from headaches, neck pain, eye infections and malnutrition, according to a report by the World Health Organisation.
Other than that, she added, it will leave them vulnerable to cyberbullies and inappropriate content exposure, as well as destroy the family institution.
LIKE GAMBLING
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's Internet User Survey 2020 showed that 88.7 percent of Malaysians are Internet users.
According to its report, the number of children aged between five and 17 who use the Internet has increased from 18.4 percent in 2016 to 47.0 percent in 2020. However, only 34.4 percent of parents use parental control to safeguard their children on the Internet.
Johor Bahru-based Regency Specialist Hospital consultant psychiatrist Dr Albert Lee Muh Haur said clinically, psychiatrists are seeing more people, especially in the adolescent age group, getting addicted to online gaming and gambling, and also getting significant exposure to pornography.
"The more time spent on the Internet or any other gadgets, the higher the risk of addiction and exposure to online gambling, cyberbullying and pornography. This also includes seeking Internet fame (chasing higher views/likes/followers for their posts)," he said.
Dr Lee told Bernama research has shown that those with behavioural addictions, including Internet gaming disorder, have the same brain functions, brain changes and way of thinking as those addicted to illegal substances.
"In some online games, loot boxes (or virtual treasure chests) are a common feature whereby a player can win, buy or be gifted with a virtual box or another container that is unwrapped to reveal virtual items of value, such as weapons, in-game currency or special powers.
"Research shows those who buy and sell loot boxes have a higher association with gambling because of the similarities in the reward pathway in the brain of the gamer. Therefore, gamers who are craving those items in a game might behave just like someone who is preoccupied with gambling," he explained.
He said gaming and use of the Internet may be acceptable with proper parental control and guidance but warned that without proper supervision, "it can lead to addiction, which may be difficult to manage without professional help".
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF SCREEN TIME
Dr Nora, meanwhile, said to reduce gadget addiction, children's screen time can be effectively managed at home by using the ANCHOR concept, namely acknowledge, notice, committed, hopeful, organise and reflect.
She urged parents to take the issue seriously and discuss it with their children and, if necessary, reach a compromise on the "desired goals so that when you approach your child, you will be coming from the same page".
"Begin the discussion by reminding your children that you care about their happiness and well-being, tell them about some of the changes in their behaviour and refer to those changes in specific terms: fatigue, declining grades, giving up hobbies or social withdrawal.
"Assign an Internet time log - tell the children on how much time they can spend online each day and which Internet activities they can engage in, and be with them each time they are in front of the screen," she said.
Dr Nora also recommended "family detox" days where parents can choose a day when phones and gadgets are kept away and also a detox period after a long hour of using the smartphone and Internet.
SCHOOL REFUSAL
Meanwhile, commenting on school refusal - a term used to describe the signs of anxiety of a schoolchild and his or her refusal to go to school - Dr Lee said a surge in such cases was seen when schools reopened briefly during the pandemic.
"School refusal is a stressful situation for children, their families and the school personnel. It also has significant short- and long-term effects on their social, emotional and educational development," he said.
He said during a child's developmental years, they are focused on learning new things and making friends and developing a sense of self-identity, which they have not been able to do during the school closure.
"Then, when they come back to real life, they may find it difficult to communicate or face their friends, leading to anxiety, especially social anxiety," he said, adding that parents need to assess the cause of school refusal and address it.
Dr Lee said parents can also seek the help of their family doctor or paediatrician, or even a psychiatrist to assess and manage the problem.
"The doctor may arrange for psychotherapy or prescribe medicine to help children with anxiety. The longer the child stays out of school, the harder it will be for them to return. The goal of treatment is to help them learn ways to reduce anxiety and return to school," he added.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Tue Jul 13 2021
![Massive rise in use of gadgets, screen time among children worrying Massive rise in use of gadgets, screen time among children worrying](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-05/81621670250_TBpdpr.jpg)
A worrying "side effect" of the ongoing movement control is the growing addiction to smart devices among children and adolescents. - File photo
![Koleksi mata wang bijih timah kurun ke-14 di Ipoh World Koleksi mata wang bijih timah kurun ke-14 di Ipoh World](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71722060245_baranganantikGale.jpg)
Koleksi mata wang bijih timah kurun ke-14 di Ipoh World
Mata wang haiwan yang dikumpul sejak tahun 2005 itu terdiri daripada pelbagai bentuk.
![Anggota polis didakwa bunuh Nur Farah Kartini akan ditahan tugas - KPN Anggota polis didakwa bunuh Nur Farah Kartini akan ditahan tugas - KPN](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61722059187_MuhammadAlifMonjan.jpg)
Anggota polis didakwa bunuh Nur Farah Kartini akan ditahan tugas - KPN
Anggota polis yang didakwa atas pertuduhan membunuh Nur Farah Kartini Abdullah akan dikenakan tindakan tahan kerja.
Tanah runtuh: Lebih 250 maut, Ethiopia berkabung tiga hari
Parlimen Habsyah mengumumkan tempoh berkabung tiga hari bermula hari in susulan tragedi tanah runtuh di selatan negara itu.
Hal Ehwal Kemanusiaan Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (OCHA). Memaklumkan lebih 257 mangsa jadi korban bencana yang berlaku di wilayah berpenduduk padat itu.
Hal Ehwal Kemanusiaan Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (OCHA). Memaklumkan lebih 257 mangsa jadi korban bencana yang berlaku di wilayah berpenduduk padat itu.
![KPRJ dan Terengganu Inc gabung daya, buka laluan projek transformatif KPRJ dan Terengganu Inc gabung daya, buka laluan projek transformatif](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81722055391_moukprjterengganu.jpg)
KPRJ dan Terengganu Inc gabung daya, buka laluan projek transformatif
Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor Sdn Bhd (KPRJ) dan Terengganu Incorporated Sdn Bhd (Terengganu Inc) memeterai memorandum persefahaman.
![Kebakaran besar hutan di Oregon bersaiz lebih separuh keluasan Rhode Island Kebakaran besar hutan di Oregon bersaiz lebih separuh keluasan Rhode Island](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81722057242_tbFirefightersOreg.jpg)
Kebakaran besar hutan di Oregon bersaiz lebih separuh keluasan Rhode Island
Kebakaran hutan besar di negeri Oregon, telah merebak kira-kira 600 batu persegi (1,554 km persegi), yang saiznya melebihi separuh daripada keluasan tanah Rhode Island.
![Saintis temui bukti oksigen dihasilkan di dasar laut dalam oleh 'bateri semula jadi' Saintis temui bukti oksigen dihasilkan di dasar laut dalam oleh 'bateri semula jadi'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721815858_dasarlaut.jpg)
Saintis temui bukti oksigen dihasilkan di dasar laut dalam oleh 'bateri semula jadi'
LAUT menjadi antara penghasil oksigen paling banyak di atmosfera. Selama ini saintis percaya oksigen ini dihasilkan oleh tumbuhan laut menerusi proses fotosintesis.
![Jenazah Siti Zaharah selamat dikebumikan di Shah Alam Jenazah Siti Zaharah selamat dikebumikan di Shah Alam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81722039049_TanSriDrSitiZaha.jpg)
Jenazah Siti Zaharah selamat dikebumikan di Shah Alam
Jenazah bekas Menteri Perpaduan Negara dan Pembangunan Masyarakat Tan Sri Dr Siti Zaharah Sulaiman selamat dikebumikan di Tanah Perkuburan Islam, Seksyen 21, Shah Alam hari ini.
![Paris 2024: Guna dron intai latihan lawan, Kanada singkir ketua jurulatih wanita Paris 2024: Guna dron intai latihan lawan, Kanada singkir ketua jurulatih wanita](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41722053002_tbBevPriestman.jpg)
Paris 2024: Guna dron intai latihan lawan, Kanada singkir ketua jurulatih wanita
Ketua jurulatih pasukan kebangsaan wanita Kanada, Bev Priestman, disingkirkan daripada pasukan bola sepak Olimpik Paris negara itu kerana skandal yang melibatkan penggunaan dron untuk mengintip lawan.
![Jangan lakukan pembakaran terbuka semasa musim panas sekarang - Bomba Jangan lakukan pembakaran terbuka semasa musim panas sekarang - Bomba](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71716287876_cuacapanas.jpg)
Jangan lakukan pembakaran terbuka semasa musim panas sekarang - Bomba
JBPM Zon Sibu mengingatkan orang awam agar tidak melakukan pembakaran terbuka ketika cuaca panas dan kering yang melanda Sarawak sekarang.
Valor Fun Run tampil lorong berasingan buat wanita
Bagi meraikan amalan gaya hidup sihat, serta bahang Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024.
Sebuah acara larian The Valor Fun Run 2024 diadakan di Putrajaya pada Sabtu, bukan sahaja untuk mengalakkan aktiviti bersukan, tetapi mengalakkan inklusiviti melalui pengenalan lorong berasingan untuk keluarga dan peserta wanita
Sebuah acara larian The Valor Fun Run 2024 diadakan di Putrajaya pada Sabtu, bukan sahaja untuk mengalakkan aktiviti bersukan, tetapi mengalakkan inklusiviti melalui pengenalan lorong berasingan untuk keluarga dan peserta wanita
![Biden kembali ke Rumah Putih selepas beberapa hari pengasingan COVID-19 Biden kembali ke Rumah Putih selepas beberapa hari pengasingan COVID-19](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/71696492107_JoeBiden.jpg)
Biden kembali ke Rumah Putih selepas beberapa hari pengasingan COVID-19
Presiden Amerika Syarikat (AS) Joe Biden tiba semula di Rumah Putih pada Selasa selepas beberapa hari diasingkan akibat COVID-19 dan di tengah-tengah khabar angin mengenai kesihatannya.
![Gantung Parlimen: 2 wakil rakyat dibenar mulakan semakan kehakiman Gantung Parlimen: 2 wakil rakyat dibenar mulakan semakan kehakiman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721817034_MuhyiddinYassin.jpg)
Gantung Parlimen: 2 wakil rakyat dibenar mulakan semakan kehakiman
Mahkamah Persekutuan membenarkan dua wakil rakyat memulakan semakan kehakiman bagi mencabar nasihat Muhyiddin untuk menggantung Parlimen sepanjang tempoh darurat pandemik COVID-19.
![Biden pulih daripada gejala COVID-19, ujian negatif Biden pulih daripada gejala COVID-19, ujian negatif](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721785411_JoeBidenAirForce.jpg)
Biden pulih daripada gejala COVID-19, ujian negatif
Ujian antigen pantas BINAX adalah negatif, bagaimanapun, beliau akan terus dipantau untuk sebarang penyakit berulang.
![Biden alami gejala COVID-19 ringan, ambil ubat antiviral Biden alami gejala COVID-19 ringan, ambil ubat antiviral](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71716240052_TBJoeBiden.jpg)
Biden alami gejala COVID-19 ringan, ambil ubat antiviral
Kevin O'Connor berkata gejala yang dialami presiden itu mempengaruhi sistem pernafasannya.
![Presiden AS Joe Biden positif COVID-19, alami gejala ringan Presiden AS Joe Biden positif COVID-19, alami gejala ringan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51717208020_JoeBiden.jpg)
Presiden AS Joe Biden positif COVID-19, alami gejala ringan
Biden mengalami gejala ringan dan akan ke Delaware untuk mengasingkan diri.
![Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61710754100_MohdNazifuddinNaji.jpg)
Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM
Atlet di bawah projek Road To Gold (RTG) tidak mempunyai pilihan selain memenangi emas yang diidam-idamkan Malaysia pada Sukan Olimpik 2024 di Paris.
![Tidak perlu lagi kemas kini status COVID-19 dalam MySejahtera - KKM Tidak perlu lagi kemas kini status COVID-19 dalam MySejahtera - KKM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721100784_TBmysj.jpg)
Tidak perlu lagi kemas kini status COVID-19 dalam MySejahtera - KKM
Jika positif COVID-19 melalui ujian kendiri, pesakit boleh mengunjungi klinik dan hospital berdekatan bagi mendapatkan pengesahan.
![Ancaman keganasan di Asia Tenggara bersifat sederhana rendah - Ahmad Zahid Ancaman keganasan di Asia Tenggara bersifat sederhana rendah - Ahmad Zahid](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720707023_TBZahidHamidi.jpg)
Ancaman keganasan di Asia Tenggara bersifat sederhana rendah - Ahmad Zahid
Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata ancaman keganasan masih wujud di rantau Asia Tenggara namun ia bersifat sederhana rendah.
![Kerajaan tanggung kerugian RM185 juta akibat lebihan vaksin COVID-19 - Dr Dzulkefly Kerajaan tanggung kerugian RM185 juta akibat lebihan vaksin COVID-19 - Dr Dzulkefly](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720674506_DzulkeflyAhmad.jpg)
Kerajaan tanggung kerugian RM185 juta akibat lebihan vaksin COVID-19 - Dr Dzulkefly
Malaysia menanggung kerugian lebih RM185 juta akibat lebihan vaksin COVID-19 setakat 11 Jun lalu, kata Menteri Kesihatan, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
![TPR positif COVID-19, prosiding bela diri Dr Roland ditangguh ke 23 Sept TPR positif COVID-19, prosiding bela diri Dr Roland ditangguh ke 23 Sept](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71719815159_DrRolandVictorMD.jpg)
TPR positif COVID-19, prosiding bela diri Dr Roland ditangguh ke 23 Sept
Pada 5 Julai 2021, Dr Roland didakwa atas pertuduhan membuat dan memulakan hantaran video bersifat jelik dengan niat untuk menyakitkan hati orang lain di Facebook.