Cyber Addiction Trending Cause of Poor Academic Performance

(PIA-7)—Cyber addiction one of the rising barriers to better school performance among students.

In today’s Kapihan sa PIA authorities from the Philippine Mental Health Association –Cebu (PMHA) revealed that addiction to cyber activities or the internet is a rising trend which translates to poor performance of school children.

PMHA Cebu President Dr. Glenda Basubas said along with cyber addiction are other mental illness such as anxiety and depression.

“It is in the internet or in cyber that they feel important, these parents lack time for the children,” Basubas said

School childen stay up late to play games, report to school tired and disinterested or worst, refused to go to school or skip classes.

PMHA board member Dr. Doris Largo said cyber addiction is an interplay between depression, anxiety and incapability to project personality in real life. Other forms of cyber addiction include cyber gambling, cyber sex and cyber relationships.

“We just have to practice responsible use of gadgets, much as we let them use this, but we also reach out to them,” Largo said.

Cinco a child psychiatrists said the parents should be vigilant in adjusting to the changes in looking after the children.

“It is in the family, check on the sites that they access every once in a while and impose an alternative,” Cinco said.

PMHA, according to Basubas recently had an activity with school guidance counsellors. It was in the event that they discussed factors affecting academic performance of the students.

There are also clinical interventions that can be done to cyber addicts and first thing is to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist.

There are already local government units that puts a limit to students entering internet cafes during school hours. However this only solved one thing considering that internet is now highly accessible in the residences. (mbcn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)