The Causes of Internet Addiction Although the causes of Internet addiction differ depending on the teen in question, experts at Stone Mountain School, a private boarding school for boys in North Carolina, have observed the following common precursors to Internet addiction: Low self-esteem Poor self-image Lack of achievements Feeling undervalued A feeling of lack of control over one’s life A feeling of being trapped Lack of a structured environment Stress and real-world problems Difficulty making and sustaining relationships Strained home environment Lack of community or friends Difficulty regulating persistent negative emotions Lack of a stimulating learning environment Lack of opportunities for mastery Lack of opportunities for exploration Lack of opportunity to play

Although the causes of Internet addiction differ depending on the teen in question, experts at Stone Mountain School, a private boarding school for boys in North Carolina, have observed the following common precursors to Internet addiction: Low self-esteem Poor self-image Lack of achievements Feeling undervalued A feeling of lack of control over one’s life A feeling of being trapped Lack of a structured environment Stress and real-world problems Difficulty making and sustaining relationships Strained home environment Lack of community or friends Difficulty regulating persistent negative emotions Lack of a stimulating learning environment Lack of opportunities for mastery Lack of opportunities for exploration Lack of opportunity to play Warning Signs of Internet Addiction Computers are going to remain a central part of American life, so it is essential for parents to learn ways to monitor their child’s computer use and detect the symptoms of Internet addiction. The experts at Stone Mountain School advise parents to watch for the following signs of Internet addiction: Preoccupation with the Internet Change in eating habits, sleep patterns or school performance Physical ailments such as numbness in the hands, eye strain, weight gain or loss, and headaches, back aches or neck aches Neglecting personal hygiene Missing school or work to surf the Web Refusing to do chores or fulfill other responsibilities because of Internet time Using the Internet longer than allowed or desired An inability to cut back on Internet use Giving up previously enjoyable activities in order to spend more time on the Internet Neglecting friends and family in favor of spending time on the computer Defensiveness or efforts to hide or lie about Internet use Becoming irritable when unable to use the Internet Isolating oneself socially or viewing the Internet as an escape Like other forms of addiction, Internet addicts experience difficulty quitting, tolerance (craving more and more screen time) and withdrawal (irritability, anxiety and boredom) when not using the Internet.

Warning Signs of Internet Addiction Computers are going to remain a central part of American life, so it is essential for parents to learn ways to monitor their child’s computer use and detect the symptoms of Internet addiction. The experts at Stone Mountain School advise parents to watch for the following signs of Internet addiction: Preoccupation with the Internet Change in eating habits, sleep patterns or school performance Physical ailments such as numbness in the hands, eye strain, weight gain or loss, and headaches, back aches or neck aches Neglecting personal hygiene Missing school or work to surf the Web Refusing to do chores or fulfill other responsibilities because of Internet time Using the Internet longer than allowed or desired An inability to cut back on Internet use Giving up previously enjoyable activities in order to spend more time on the Internet Neglecting friends and family in favor of spending time on the computer Defensiveness or efforts to hide or lie about Internet use Becoming irritable when unable to use the Internet Isolating oneself socially or viewing the Internet as an escape Like other forms of addiction, Internet addicts experience difficulty quitting, tolerance (craving more and more screen time) and withdrawal (irritability, anxiety and boredom) when not using the Internet.

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When your job involves using the World Wide Web and other computer software for most part of the day, you might start to feel some pain in your joints and muscles. These are usually brought about by unhealthy habits when you are surfing the Internet at your work station. To avoid any illnesses brought about by improper practices while using online resources, follow these basic tips. First, observe proper posture when you are sitting in front of your computer. Your buttocks should be at the rear of the seat, your back straight, and your feet planted firmly on the floor. Relax your shoulders, keep your arms near your body, and your wrists should not bend. Second, take good care of your eyesight. To avoid straining your eyes as you surf the Web, make sure they are directly level with the upper portion of your monitor. Also, adjust the brightness or install a filter if the screen light hurts. Third, take regular breaks and exercise. Walk around the block and do some stretching to relax and strengthen your muscles, joints, and tendons. This will also allow you to rest your eyes and hands.

10. Music: Listen to and discover new music. Listen to classical music to help you stay relaxed and focused. Find free music online to listen to. 9. Language: Learn a second language. This can help you when vacationing and it looks great on your resume. You can earn more money in your field if you know another language. 8. Health: Get healthier with diet plans, meal planning and exercise plans. Join an online community with people who have the same health goals as you: lose weight, get in shape, gain muscle, or just stay healthy. Plan your meals. Get healthy recipes. 7. Money: Manage your money. Read articles and newsletters from finance experts. Learn how to stick to a budget. Get discounts and coupons online to help save money. 6. Donate: Find your favorite charities and organizations online and donate your money, time, blood, etc. Many are eligible for tax deductions. Donate to help find a cure for cancer, help fund a Native American school, give aid in natural disasters…There are so many good causes out there. 5. News: Check out the current events around the world. There is more than just bad news out there. There are good people doing great things. 4. Education: Learn something new with an online course. What have you always wanted to learn how to do? You can also find courses online that can help you advance in your career. 3. Photos: Create an online photo album. Keep a photo album online to save space from printed photos. Your pictures will stay fresh. You can print them out when you want to for frames or gifts. You can share them with relatives and friends who live far away. 2. Ancestry: Research your ancestry and create a family tree. Talk to your mom, dad, siblings, and other relatives to get the names of your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and more. Map your ancestry online and create something to pass down to your kids. 1. Maps: Use maps to show your kids where they live. Print out maps of places you would like to visit. When you are board take a road trip. Print out some great restaurants nearby and make a day of it.

That's why it's wise to monitor and limit the time your child spends playing video games, watching TV, and playing games on the Internet.

Preview programs. Make sure you think they're appropriate

before your kids watch them

Talk About It Talk with your kids about the Internet, and encourage them to see it as a shared, open environment in which they have social responsibilities just as they would in any physical environment.With open discussion, you can set expectations about the behavior you expect from them, curb negativity and discourage behaviors such as secrecy, boundary-pushing or thrill-seeking. You can also emphasize that online safety is something you care about and will continue to examine.Keep in mind: Enjoy the Internet along with your children, and discuss the ways in which it brings value into your lives.Stay open to your kids' questions, and encourage them to share their Internet experiences with you without fear of punishment about what they read, see or experience.Discuss how to safely interact online with others, why kids should stay away from certain types of content and individuals, and that Internet rules are there to protect kids. Teach children to trust their instincts, and to come to you if something or someone online makes them feel uncomfortable or threatened. Stay calm and remind them that they are not in trouble for bringing issues to your attention. Praise their discretion.As kids get older, keep family communications about the Internet as open and positive as you can. Talk with your kids about their online friends and activities just as you would talk about other friends and activities.

Set Rules for Internet Use Lay out rules for Internet use, setting clear expectations for your kids' online habits. A good set of rules should include things like the amount of time kids are allowed to be online, what types of content are appropriate and who it's okay to chat with as well as proper online conduct and good Internet citizenship.Keep in mind: The most successful rules are those that are created collaboratively. Work with your kids to draw up an online family safety contract that the whole family can agree to and sign. Discuss the rules frequently. Remind them that the rules are in place to protect your family, and that strictly maintaining privacy online can lower the risk of being targeted by online predators. Tell kids that following the rules and keeping communications open will allow them to gain freedoms as they get older. Let them know that you will reevaluate the rules over time. You can reinforce the rules you set by enabling restrictions on your PC. Windows Live Family Safety lets you set parameters that can limit Internet searches, monitor and filter specific websites, receive detailed activity reports of your child’s online activities, and let you be in control of who your child can communicate with in Windows Live Spaces, Messenger, or Hotmail1.

Balance Time Online Maintaining a balance between entertainment and other activities in kids' lives can be a serious challenge. The Internet has made it even more difficult, as the lines between entertainment and education are often blurred. Modeling a healthy balance between your online and offline activities is a great way to encourage children to do the same.Keep in mind: Enforce rules about the amount of time your kids may spend online, and the hours they are allowed to go online. Help your kids develop self-control, discipline and accountability regarding Internet use. Use parental controls in Windows 7 to limit PC time. Set up individual user accounts to determine how much computer time children have and what hours of the day they are allowed to use the PC, as well as which programs and games they can access.Encourage and support their participation in other activities — particularly physical pastimes with other children. If your child is reluctant, look for offline activities that tap into the same interests your kids pursue online. Watch for signs of Internet dependency. If Internet use seems excessive or begins to affect your child's school performance, health or relationships, consider professional counseling for Internet addiction.