Media addiction among young people: "What many lack is adventure"

More and more young people fear they are addicted to media. The best prevention is "to keep life as colorful and diverse as possible," Dominik Batthyány, director of the Institute for Behavioral Addictions and Addiction Research at the Sigmund Freud University in Vienna, told the APA. His association Ergon offers children and young people free therapy options and experiential educational group programs such as game afternoons or martial arts training. Many, he says, lack adventure.

The psychosocial emergency service "Rat auf Draht" reported a 70 percent increase in consultations regarding excessive media use among adolescents last year. Many are questioning whether the time they spend playing online games and on social media already falls into the realm of addiction, "Rat auf Draht" reported in June. According to an Austrian study for "Mental Health Days," published earlier this year, the teenagers surveyed, with an average age of 14, spend an average of four hours per day on their smartphones. However, screen time alone does not determine whether someone is addicted to media or not, Batthyány explained.

According to the psychotherapist, the function is crucial: If, for example, a smartphone or online gaming is used to get rid of negative thoughts or to better cope with difficult situations, i.e., as "a kind of self-medication with which I can numb myself or compensate for deficits," it becomes "problematic" when media use becomes the primary strategy for solving problems.

Excessive behavior, such as when young people spend all night playing computer games, loss of control, and negative effects on other areas of life are also signs of addiction. Typical examples, according to Batthyány, include children performing worse in school or other hobbies and friends playing a less important role. "The importance of the game is completely exaggerated." If several of these criteria apply and last for more than twelve months, it is considered addictive behavior.

According to the psychotherapist, people diagnosed with ADHD, autism, depression, or anxiety are particularly at risk of developing media addiction. "It's often the case that media behavior builds on existing problems—as a problem-solving strategy." The more this problem-solving strategy is used, the weaker other existing strategies become. "That's why it's really important to try to keep people's lives as colorful and diverse as possible. To ensure there's plenty that interests them, that brings them joy. That's the best form of prevention."

It's difficult to estimate how many people in Austria are addicted to media, as there are no valid studies, the expert said. However, much has changed since the advent of the smartphone, as people can always have the device with them and there are many more possibilities and areas of application. "Here, we always have to distinguish: Is a child truly addicted to it, or has the family not yet managed to find a framework for smartphone use?" The latter can lead to conflict if parents punish or reward children with media time.

But understanding is often lacking: In the past, mothers and fathers wouldn't have interrupted a children's soccer game when the food was ready, Batthyány illustrated. This is more common with a computer game. "Children and young people should also learn how to deal with media on their own and know their limits. But I still think it's important to have a framework that protects, provides security, and guidance," he said. This framework differs from family to family and can sometimes be more relaxed, as is currently the case during the summer holidays. But just as variety is important in a healthy diet, children and young people should also do many different things in their free time.

Problematic media consumption in children and adolescents – as well as adults – is treated at the outpatient clinic of the Sigmund Freud Private University in Vienna using talk therapy. There are also self-help groups, both online and in person. Together with a colleague, Batthyány founded the Ergon association, whose services are supported by the Vienna Addiction and Drug Coordination Office and offer free therapy for children, adolescents, and adults.

In addition to psychiatric diagnostics to determine whether other mental health problems are present, there are also group programs for children and adolescents. During game afternoons and martial arts training, children learn "to feel themselves, to set boundaries, to look out for others, and to have fun together." Because "that's what many are missing: adventure."