Internet addiction is being described as the “drug of this generation” with Australian research finding that it can lead to mental health problems in teenagers that will continue into adult-hood.
Compulsive gaming and social media usage is having a direct impact on sleep, leading to increased levels of violence and low self-esteem, leading many teenagers refusing to go to school and disengaging with society.
The ACU report says that gaming and social media are designed to be addictive and it’s important for parents and schools to set rules around the safe use of technology to prevent internet addiction from having potentially catastrophic consequences.