Internet Addiction

Within two years, Vishal Rupakheti, a 14-year-old boy from Kathmandu, gained unnaturally large amounts of weight. Vishal, a class 8 student, weighed 65 kg. His eyes grew droopy. He stopped attending school after being called "fat" and " specky" by his peers.

The chappal factory, where his parents Chetraj and Shanti work, is a shoe factory. Their son left the house at eight in the morning and didn't get back until seven at night, so they could not devote enough time to him. However, they did send the items his kid requested before the limit's departure.

Vishal once requested Rs 30 to visit a cybercafé two years ago. Vishal received money from Shanti after promising to learn computers. After two days, Vishal asked for money once more and threatened to use the Internet. She gave the cash without hesitation. This pattern kept going. Shanti used to give her son money every day so that he would put the computer away and focus on learning while they were occupied. The Vishal Daily Cyber got going. He raised both the amount and the length of time spent online. According to Chetraj, "After I reprimanded him that he would run to cyber if he had some free time, he did not get a mobile phone, and I put Rs 24,000 on his choice and bought a phone." They connected WiFi in their home in response to their son's request.

After having access to smartphones and the Internet at home, Chetraj and Shanti thought their kid would stop going out. After receiving the phone, though, they were shocked to notice specific changes in Vishal after a few months. Even in the large room, he stopped leaving the house. She describes how he has changed, including forgetting to bring her meals to her bed at night and screaming while sitting in a room with the doorknob turned inward. So much so that I would often question, "When will the lights turn on," whenever the power went out, or the WiFi stopped working. Do not call and inquire as to what happened to WiFi. He used to speak with us during these times solely. He wouldn't leave the room, not even when visitors were there," Shanti recalled.

The exercise was nonexistent. He passed his days eating and playing video games while sitting in his room. Vishal was overweight as a result. His father once took away his cell phone. However, the vegetable cutter's knife struck the spouse in the face. Baba held him that day while tying his hands. But nothing changed ", Shanti said.

Lockdown caused the school to close. He used to pass the time playing free-fire games while taking online lessons. Tej Vishal is currently losing academic ground. He began ignoring his significant obligations due to doing homework and taking online classes. Shanti declares, "We are terrified to watch this.

He claimed that Vishal lost all awareness of his location in Baua due to his addiction to his mobile device and the Internet. As they watched addicted youngsters in telefilms, Shanti and Chetraj started to feel like their son.

When their kid quit attending school after being expected to give the SEE in two years, Shanti and Chetraj were upset. They have now relocated their son to a new home. And moved into a house in Tilganga, enrolling Vishal in a local school. Vishal, however, resisted attending classes there as well. He began to use his phone more and more. They finally managed to take Vishal to the Mark Seva Counseling Center in Chabahil. Vishal has back to normal, says therapist Gopal Dhakal, following roughly two months of counselling. According to Chetraj, his son's physical health has also improved. This year, Vishal is giving SEE (Secondary Education Examination).

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Psychiatrist Karuna Kunwar related the story of a young patient who visited her home three years prior. When the boy was two years old, the parents began reading him stories from Kathmandu on his cell phone. The parents were shocked to observe their young boy paying close attention to the story.

The boy began watching narrative videos on his phone when he was three. The parents were overjoyed to see this and referred to their youngster as "clever" afterwards. They were upset when their kid refused to leave the house because he couldn't live without a phone. They sought counselling after learning that their son was "mobile hooked." In addition, he gradually weaned his son from the telephone at the psychologist Kunwar's advice. They were a little late, however.

Kunwar, a psychologist, estimates that the youngster is five years old. He no longer has a cellphone addiction. However, his physique shows the effects of using a phone for almost three years. He recalled that she was overweight when Kunwar first saw her when she was five years old.

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Ayush Nepal, a 22-year-old from Palpa, is pursuing a degree in education at the Pashupati Multiple Campus in Mitra Park, Kathmandu. During the lockdown, he decided not to go home. He has WiFi set up at the Dera in Gaurighat. When he was forced to remain in his room by himself, he created a TikTok account. And began to relish it.

Even though he didn't create Tik Tok, he was known to spend much time viewing videos. I used to utilize Messenger to share the Tiktok movies I found interesting with my friends. Ayush adds, "I used to share my favourite videos on Facebook and watch the likes and comments. I used to get encouraged when there were more likes and comments, and I used to respond. However, what if there weren't many views?

As soon as the lockdown was lifted, campus life resumed. He didn't visit the campus, however. He opened Tiktok as he awoke in the morning to have a look. He was unaware that it was noon. I would then check my mobile device one more to see if the day was over. He recalled, "I used to charge my phone while driving since I didn't like to answer my mother's phone." Not even friends' phones were answered. Occasionally, cutting the day short by merely sipping tea. Due to a lack of nourishment in his body, he noticed that he dropped a significant amount of weight in just two months.

He was surprised because he had missed college for over two months and began visiting the campus. He continued to use Tiktok, even at college. Facebook posts' likes, comments, and answers were overlooked and studied without paying attention. He believed he had been in trouble since he was a psychology student. He claims, "When I arrived from the village to study, I asked myself what I was doing." I struggled to break my online and smartphone usage habits, however. I turned to the Internet as a last resort to break my internet habit.

He read a psychiatrist's advice on internet issues and fixes on Google. Watched the relevant YouTube videos. He finally took away his Internet and mobile access after approximately two months of trying. He stated with a chuckle, "If I hadn't found out early, I would have needed psychiatric care. I still use my mobile for two to three hours a day, even to see what happened."

Numerous study findings indicate that not just the three individuals above but many more young people, children, and even users unaware of it are impacted by the Internet and mobile technology. According to psychologist Kunwar, this culture is jeopardizing their future.

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Through the Internet, you can travel anywhere on the globe. You can purchase various small and large items from an online store with only one click. The knowledge base of the Internet has data on every subject. You can use the Internet as a source of amusement. The Internet is available 24/7 to complete your orders. Give a command, and the entire universe is within your reach.

But one thing needs to be understood: why would anyone offer so many amenities for free in this day and age? Even the Internet is silent on the matter.

It will then try to integrate itself into your thinking in return. Whether you believe it or not, you don't see it taking up space in your mind, exercising control, or exploiting it.

Online content is made to steal our time, focus, and data. When you laugh while watching videos on Tiktok, Tiktok will display more of that type of material in your stream. This is how social media sites like Facebook and YouTube operate. Users rarely scroll down' content without first looking at it.

When you lack the Internet and feel exhausted, the world appears to be yours when you have access to the Internet. It feels incomplete and incomplete when it doesn't match. On the Internet, you begin to forget everything. Your social, mental, and physical well-being are all impacted. A behavior change. Psychiatrists claim that when the use of the Internet reaches this point, it becomes an addiction.

The excessive interest in video games has been deemed an Internet phenomenon by the American National Library of Medicine. The internet and drug cultures have been compared in other studies and research.

For many people, using the Internet is both necessary and compulsive. And to ignore this need and obligation and go beyond its bounds is to cross the addict line. In addition to doing regular work through the Internet, exceeding the weekly limit of 36 hours and extending that amount of time is illegal. Additionally, this kind of person has the potential to ruin the lives of others forever. Ganga Pathak has a word of caution.

The organization that studies mental health has classified digital addiction as a mental disorder, according to psychologist Karuna Kunwar. After extensive examinations and exams, Korean doctors have equated internet addiction to heroin addiction.

Dr. Ajay Risal, a specialist in mental disease, advises that during the COVID epidemic, it is best to avoid using the Internet because all work must be done virtually. He believes it is best to avoid wasting time online because of this.

Technology, particularly the Internet, has been crucial to keeping the globe functioning throughout the COVID outbreak. According to psychiatrists, many people are also negatively impacted by it. Not all specialists believe it to be as dangerous as drug or alcohol addiction. They concur, however, that the victims will die as a result.

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In 2019, the international child rights organization Ecapt Luxembourg released a paper titled "Internet Safety and Risk of New Technologies to Children in Nepal." In a poll of 12,944 students, teachers, and parents from public and private schools in 15 districts, 61% of the respondents claimed they routinely use Facebook. While 6.3 percent of the students claimed to use Facebook under a different name and photo, 20.5 percent indicated they have multiple Facebook accounts.

According to the research, the poll respondents who utilized the Internet for 6 hours a day included 71.8 percent of male students and 28.2 percent of female students, according to the study. After such a report was released, a nationwide lockdown was implemented to manage Corona within a short period. The students were all kept inside their homes. They began learning through virtual means rather than being physically present. A laptop or a mobile phone must always be current in the house. According to Medin Lamichhane, principal of Glens School in Khumaltar, their proximity to cell phones, computers, and the Internet has increased due to this circumstance.

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Another study by Swansea University researchers in the UK found that Internet addiction affects everyone, even college students and young toddlers. The survey claims that when students use digital technology excessively, their enthusiasm for their studies decreases. Computer-Assisted Learning in General The poll was completed by 285 students pursuing health-related degrees. The investigation evaluated the students' internet use, anxiety, loneliness, motivation, and study habits. The study's finding is that there is a poor correlation between internet addiction and academic motivation. Researchers claim that students struggle to focus on reading after developing an online addiction. And during tests, he becomes more agitated. Students with internet addictions have also expressed feeling lonely. The likelihood of being engaged in studying is minimal when this occurs.

According to our study, pupils who are Internet addicts dislike studying, said study co-author Phil Reid in the paper. You don't perform well on the exam because of this. And he becomes agitated. worried.' Of the students who participated in the poll, 40% claimed to use the Internet primarily for social networking and 30% for informational purposes.

Roberto Truzzoli, a second co-author from the University of Milan, claims that internet addiction affects various skills, including drive, planning, and sensitivity to incentives. The student's aptitude is diminished in this manner. He also has academic weaknesses.

Not Just Children & Students

According to Dr. Ajay Risal, a mental health expert, Internet addiction can affect parents or elderly individuals, and students. The Covid epidemic, he claims, has created a scenario in which all work must essentially be redone. This is the moment to use greater caution. Spending more time online than necessary can lead to mental health issues later.

In addition to the work that needs to be done online, he claimed that it is an issue if someone is overlooked online more often than necessary. "It cannot be an addict if someone pulls a match once or twice." But that's an addict if he gets to the point where he can't survive without eating it. This is how internet culture is as well. Someone gets restless and agitated if they don't use the Internet. It can be said that he has attained the rank of addictio, Dr. of Dhulikhel Hospital if he feels lonely, says Rizal.

Our problem with internet addiction is both mental and physical. However, according to Dr. Anup Pokharel, a mental illness specialist, people seek treatment right away for bodily injuries but are less interested in behaviors that impact their mental health. In his book "mental sickness," Dr. Pokharel notes that there is still a lack of open discussion of mental health, particularly in society. However, they do not discuss mental health.

Symptoms

Your schedule is the first thing that internet tyranny targets, according to psychologist Karuna Kunwar. You have no idea how much time you spend online. You start disregarding priorities. Your timetable is a complete disaster. Affected is office work. The online frenzy can be detrimental to your personal life as well. Your mood is upbeat when utilizing a computer or smartphone. You experience complete freedom from all concerns and obligations while using the Internet. You then begin to lie even more than before. Because the Internet is a time waster, you cannot complete other commitments. When questioned, they apologize or act otherwise.

The Internet gives the impression that you can click your way around the globe. But as soon as you return to reality, you're by yourself. You're terrified. I feel isolated. You may occasionally become irritated at yourself. You may not fully understand the source of my rage. You start acting violently.

Your level of focus wanes. You rapidly become tired of things. Your imagination creates a virtual environment. This is the cause of the disruption of the body's biological cycle. Internet addicts have trouble falling asleep at night.

Dr. Psychiatrist Risal says that stress increases a propensity for lying and cheating. People are under pressure during an outbreak, he claims. Digital media, such as social networks and online games, are the simplest and quickest way to escape this.

Dr. Hooked on Games: The Lure and Cost of Video Games and Internet Addiction, a BBC report released on October 25, 2021. Doan said that there are two ways to look at the Internet. Digital media is divided into two categories: digital sweets and digital veggies. He claims that online therapy and other digital vegetables can control and relieve stress in people, whereas excessive use of social media, games, and porn are digital sugars that promote addiction.

Psychiatrists argue that the problem of computer game addiction and Internet use will worsen as we spend more time online.

Effect on Brain

On the subject of internet quality in Nepal, there has been no study or investigation. Internet addiction is not taken into account either. But other nations have already been studying, researching, and preparing for this.

South Korea views internet addiction as a public health issue. There have been instances of violence and murder brought on by internet addiction. After research and testing, the team led by South Korean University radiology professor Hyung Suk Seo asserted that "Internet and smartphone addiction is changing the chemistry of the human brain." The researcher's investigation of 19 15-year-old teenagers has validated this. All of the teenagers had internet addiction issues. How do you use your smartphone or the Internet? The doctor asked the teenagers.

They were also questioned about their daily tasks, performance, sleep patterns, and emotions. On the other hand, the identical question was posed to 19 additional kids in the same age group who did not exhibit any signs of internet addiction. The test revealed that internet and smartphone addiction teenagers had sleep and aggression issues. There were also significant issues, including anxiety and despair.

The brains of all the teens taking part in the trial were 3D-imaged by medical professionals using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). It functions similarly to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRS imaging has a similar ability to reveal the chemical make-up of tissues and cells to MRI imaging. The test results revealed that the "Internet addiction problem affects the brain like that of drug or narcotic use."

Impact In Body

Internet addiction is not just a mental health issue. Your physical and social status are also impacted. The giant mentioned above is exceptionally lean, lean, and lean. Similar problems may arise with various bodily issues.

According to medical professionals, there are seven spinal bones in the human neck. The same bones in the spine are compressed while bending down while using a mobile device or sitting still for an extended time while using a computer. Pressure on the spine, which connects the brain and neurological system, can negatively affect the entire body.

According to senior orthopedic physician Prof. Dr. Govind KC, even while using a computer or the Internet is a requirement for most individuals, they should also know their limitations. He claims that staying still when seated for an extended period can harm your bones. Long-term computer and phone users frequently experience issues like neck and muscle pain. The muscles grow dry if you don't exercise. Bones are delicate. The joints are immobile. It's not good for the nerves. The spine's bones could deteriorate and impact the nerves over time, "explains Dr. KC. He claims that as a result, individuals will see an upsurge in both physical and mental health issues. As a result, he suggests that users only use the Internet for as long as is essential.

Impact on the Eyes

Dr. Ben Limbu, an ophthalmologist at the Tilganga Eye Institute, claims that prolonged computer, phone, or Internet use strains the eyes. He asserts that frequent Internet use is typically blamed for eye issues, including dryness and blurriness. Eye issues, including burning and itching, are also common. He claimed that headache issues could arise if the Internet is given one's undivided attention.

According to Dr. Limbu, blue light (blue light) makes up most of the light coming from smartphone screens. Long periods of close examination of a screen strain the eyes. It also irritates the eyes. The retina of the eye may be harmed if you do this repeatedly. He advises wearing blue light protection glasses for people who must spend much time online.

Gaining Weight

Dr. Aruna Upreti, a nutritionist, met a 20-year-old male from East Kathmandu who is 180 cm tall and weighs 120 kg. He's been overweight since childhood due to spending more time online, watching TV, and eating junk food, says Upreti. She claimed that these youngsters are on the verge of developing mental health issues after gaining weight unnaturally.

Dr. Upreti uses the same teenager as an example and claims that the practice of spending much time online can reduce a person's fertility. Exercise or other outside activity should not be done when spending much time online. Children sometimes use junk food to participate in social media or online gaming. The weight rises as a result of this. She claimed that skipping meals and a lack of nourishment are the causes of weight loss.

As a result of Internet addiction, many now have physical issues. In addition, physical problems contribute to mental issues.

Laziness

Experts claim that internet addiction is becoming an "epidemic" like the Corona epidemic and is sweeping the globe. It deepens as the lockdown continues. There are, however, no credible statistics available. This estimate varies per nation and study.

However, research indicates that internet addiction is a global issue that affects many nations. Psychologists assert that developed countries are more prone to this issue. Because citizens in wealthy nations have greater access to technology, these nations also have facilities for treating Internet addiction. In other words, the psychologist Pathak claims they are now aware of the remedy.

More than 980 million individuals in China, which has a population of more than 1.41 billion, have access to the Internet, according to Statistica, an online service that compiles statistics on the global digital economy. More than 50 million kids and teenagers live there. To relieve people from Internet addiction, China built an Internet Addiction Treatment Center in 2006.

Thousands of patients have received treatment at this facility in Dexing, south of the capital Beijing. Dr., a psychologist, is launching several initiatives and plans to treat Internet addiction in nations like America and Britain, states Pathak. He claims that policy authorities in underdeveloped countries like Nepal are frequently unaware of Internet addiction or its possible risks.

Preventive Measures

Psychologists advise that accepting a problem as such is the first step toward solving it. It will be challenging to go as long as the patient refuses to accept this. Nobody can quickly recover from internet addiction. If you believe you have entered the digital era, psychologist Kunwar suggests that you progressively cut back on your online time. Addiction is characterized by weekly Internet usage of more than 36 hours. According to Kunwar, you must reduce it to less than 16 hours.

He claims that any outdoor activity would do while using the needless Internet makes one feel fantastic. You can meet people, she explains. Activities like playing sports, spending more time with family, taking walks, reading books, and keeping a journal can all aid in overcoming an online addiction. Even if you do this, you should seek a psychiatrist's assistance.

Dr. Pathak Kunwar advises patients to seek therapy or treatment as often as possible without having a significant personal impact.