A treatment programme aimed at teens that spend hours a day online has been launched at a London hospital.

by Rune H. Rasmussen

An increasing number of young people spend large amounts of time each day playing computer games or using social network websites. But fear not. Those diagnosed with the condition “technology addict” can now seek treatment at the Capio Nightingale hospital in London, where a bespoke treatment has been launched.

The treatment's founder Dr. Richard Graham said to BBC News that his motivation for creating the programme stemmed from a concern about the "compulsive and addictive quality" of games, social media and mobile phones.

"The preoccupation with accessing sites and responding to messages is so compelling that it gets prioritised... it can impact on other areas of life and skew young people's ability to engage in other activities."

When deprived, addicts become “chronically agitated and irritable”, Dr. Graham claimed.

A treatment programme in three stages
The programme lasts 28 days if done intensely. It begins with a period of psychotherapy designed to address the patient's issues with face-to-face relationships. The next stage is to unravel their relationship with technology and encourage them to switch it off. Finally, patients are encouraged to take part in physical exercise and other “real life” social activities.

However, the programme is not designed to make people stop using technology.

"It's not realistic to have an abstinence programme," Dr. Graham said to BBC News.

Mark Griffiths, Professor of gambling studies at Nottingham Trent University, said that any therapy should be about getting behaviour back under control:

"You can't avoid the internet, you can't avoid technology. The number of genuine technology addicts is fairly low but it could rise with online gaming where, unlike standalone gaming, the game never stops. Most addictive behaviours peak in youth and you're more likely to be male - but the Internet is gender neutral. Women might be put off going into a real betting shop for example, but you can be whatever you want to be online."

Visitors may test their level of addiction
At the moment the programme is only available to private patients at the Capio Nightingale hospital. The clinic currently has no presence online outside of the hospital's own website, although a link-up with well-being service Big White Wall is being discussed.

Visitors to the hospital website can take a test to estimate their level of technology addiction, answering questions about their online habits and how these habits are perceived by others.

Source:
BBC News: Technology addicts offered treatment

Related articles at kidsandmedia.co.uk:

What is Computer and Video Game Addiction?

Symptoms of Video Game Addiction in Teens

How to avoid children getting addicted to games