Social commentary

Internet addiction in Singapore on the increase

A Straits Times newspaper article on December 5th, 2008 reported a warning by doctors in Singapore of a sharp rise in the number of young people addicted to the Internet. According to the article, five psychologists in private practice noted a 30% increase in the number of internet addicts from five years before.

I express my deepest concern for this worrying trend and feel strongly for decisive action to be carried out to curb the rise in the number of Internet addicts.

In the article, it was stated that “Internet addicts tend to be boys and young men aged between 10 and 20.” Psychologists have likened internet addiction to gambling and alcohol addiction due to the resultant emotional and mental distress as well as the potential physical impact it could have on the addict. Thus, with regard to Internet addiction, decisive action would be warranted as Internet addiction poses a great threat to the youth of the future.

Also, even in the face of potential pitfalls of Internet addiction, a significant portion of youths have still failed to practice good self-discipline. This is likely to be due to the highly excitable nature of youths and the increasing capability of the Internet in meeting the need in youths for a sense of thrill and adventure. In the Singapore’s Academy of Medicine’s paper on Excessive Internet Use involving 2735 students from Secondary 1 to 3, one in five students admitted to being online at least 5 hours a day, a duration which the paper termed “compulsive”. This example clearly demonstrates that a significant number of youths are unable to cope with the lure of the Internet by themselves, thus justifying decisive action against Internet addiction.

In addition, parents have increasingly become unable to control their children’s Internet habits. Counsellor Anthony Yeong noted a sharp increase in “number of calls we get from desperate parents who have no idea how to deal with their children……” Some parents are also unable to keep tabs on their children due to their busy work schedule. A parent, Betty Khoo, expressed that “Work takes up most of my time so I can't keep tabs……” Since parents are incapable of resolving this problem, the onus then falls onto the government to make a difference.

Presently, youths are only given several lessons about Internet addiction in schools, while parents have almost no information on this issue. Also, action is taken to curb Internet addiction in youths only after the problem becomes relatively severe. I feel that this set of guidelines is inadequate in addressing the problem of Internet addiction

Firstly, to resolve this issue, information regarding Internet addiction in youths as well as possible solutions has to be disseminated widely to the parents in the forms of talks, emails etc.

Also, more help has to be given to youths on how to deal with stress and the lure of the Internet. It was stated in the article that “Children who seek escape on the Internet tend to have emotional problems, difficulty getting along with school mates and gaining acceptance.” Thus, giving youths avenues to turn to for help would direct them away from escape on the Internet. Youths can also be given alternatives like sporting activities to relieve stress and fulfil their need for excitement.

Unlike gambling and smoking, the use of the Internet is essential for the function of modern society despite its pitfalls. In order to avoid these pitfalls, perhaps it is now high time to push the “Refresh” button with regard to youths’ relationship with the Internet.

(598 words)