Vulnerable Addicts

During class last Wednesday, Professor Jackson got my attention when she was talking to us about young teens being addicted to the Internet.  This got me to wonder if there was a specific group of people that could possibly be more vulnerable to Internet addictions than others? An article by Leslie Davis explains why there may be a Risk Of Internet Addiction Higher In Teens With ADHD & Depression based off a recent study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

            According to the research, professionals found children and teens who are diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and depression are more likely to become addicted to the internet because it’s constantly changing, updating, and mostly fast paced while allowing them to escape reality becoming whom ever they want to be via cyber world. For the non-ADHD, they can escape at their own pace.

From social networking to video games, the Internet provides an outlet for both groups of uneasy adolescence. The reason I use the term uneasy is because they don’t feel at ease (our sense of normal) as your stereotypical youth, specifically ADHD. ADHD more or less makes someone feel chronic, and sometimes constant, impulsiveness, hyperactivity (always wanting to move), or difficulties paying attention. ADHD has been found to have contributions to low self-esteem, troubled relationships, and work in general. It is commonly linked to anxiety and/or depression due to vast findings of similar symptoms and treatment. 

Although these two groups are highly vulnerable to what we perceive to be internet addicts, its highly beneficial to allot them the time they need whether its posting a blog venting about their day or running from the cops with 4 stars in Grand Theft Auto. Specialists have found that it is better that these youths are distracted, vent and act out in cyber worlds rather than bottling it all up or criminalizing themselves possibly putting them on a path to destruction in the real world.