Orang Tua Lebih Takut Anak Kecanduan Internet Ketimbang Alkohol, Mengapa?
Ilustrasi efek main gadget di usia dini.
Para orang tua di Amerika khawatir penggunaan internet di kalangan remaja dapat membuat mereka terkena cyberbullying, konten berbahaya, dan membuat mereka kecanduan berdasarkan sebuah studi baru.
Sebuah survei terhadap sekitar 1.000 ibu dan ayah menemukan lebih dari 22% khawatir anak-anak mereka mungkin bergantung pada internet. Dua kali lebih banyak orang yang merasa khawatir akan kecanduan internet dibandingkan dengan mereka yang khawatir akan kecanduan zat-zat seperti obat-obatan terlarang atau alkohol.
Ada alasan bagi orang tua untuk khawatir, kata Mitchell Prinstein, kepala petugas sains di American Psychological Association (APA).
Beberapa data menunjukkan bahwa sekitar 50% anak-anak melaporkan setidaknya satu gejala ketergantungan pada media sosial, kata Prinstein.
Survei baru yang dilakukan oleh para peneliti di Child Mind Institute di New York City dan lainnya, menyoroti perasaan orang tua saat mereka menavigasi remaja dan teknologi.
Meskipun sebagian orang khawatir akan kecanduan internet, banyak pula yang mengatakan bahwa internet telah mendekatkan keluarga dekat dan keluarga besar.
Rekan penulis studi, Dr. Giovanni Salum, yang juga direktur program di institut tersebut, mengatakan ada persepsi umum bahwa gangguan kesehatan mental meningkat seiring berjalannya waktu. Bukti menunjukkan bahwa penggunaan internet dan media sosial mungkin berkontribusi terhadap hal tersebut.
“Hal yang menarik dari penelitian ini adalah bahwa penelitian ini melihat kedua sisi yakni manfaat dan kerugiannya,” kata Salum.
Survei menunjukkan bahwa hampir dua pertiga orang tua khawatir terhadap konten internet yang berbahaya dan 53% khawatir terhadap penindasan online.
Namun, hampir separuhnya mengapresiasi peningkatan keterhubungan di antara anggota keluarga dekat dan sekitar 57% menyukai hal ini bagi keluarga besar.
Kalau internet hanya sebagian kecil dari kehidupan seseorang, tidak apa-apa, ujarnya. Namun jika hal tersebut mengganggu interaksi sosial dan sekolah, maka hal tersebut perlu dikhawatirkan.
“Banyak sekali manfaatnya. Hal utama yang menurut saya masih perlu kita pahami adalah mengenai keseimbangan,” kata Salum.
Survei dirilis secara online pada bulan Juni dan Juli 2022 terhadap orang tua yang memiliki anak berusia 9 hingga 15 tahun.
Parents are more afraid of their children being addicted to the Internet than alcohol, why?
Illustration of the effects of playing with gadgets at an early age.
American parents are concerned that internet use among teenagers could expose them to cyberbullying, harmful content and make them addicted according to a new study.
A survey of about 1,000 mothers and fathers found more than 22% were worried their children might become dependent on the internet. Twice as many people worry about internet addiction than those who worry about becoming addicted to substances such as drugs or alcohol.
There's reason for parents to be concerned, says Mitchell Prinstein, chief science officer at the American Psychological Association (APA).
Some data suggests that about 50% of children report at least one symptom of dependence on social media, Prinstein said.
The new survey, conducted by researchers at the Child Mind Institute in New York City and others, sheds light on how parents feel as they navigate teens and technology.
Although some people worry about internet addiction, many also say that the internet has brought their immediate and extended families closer together.
Study co-author, Dr. Giovanni Salum, who is also program director at the institute, said there is a general perception that mental health disorders are increasing over time. Evidence suggests that internet and social media use may contribute to this.
"The interesting thing about this research is that it looks at both sides, namely the benefits and harms," said Salum.
Surveys show that nearly two-thirds of parents are concerned about harmful internet content and 53% are concerned about online bullying.
However, nearly half appreciate increased connectedness among immediate family members and about 57% favor this for extended families.
If the internet is only a small part of someone's life, that's okay, he said. However, if this interferes with social and school interactions, then this is something to worry about.
“There are lots of benefits. "The main thing that I think we still need to understand is about balance," said Salum.
The survey was released online in June and July 2022 among parents of children aged 9 to 15 years.