Psychiatr. praxi 2019; 20(S1e) [Pediatr. praxi 2018; 19(6): 317-321]

Game over – children caught in the net

MUDr. Bc. Daniela Zmeškalová, Ph.D.

Klinika psychiatrie, LF UP a FN Olomouc

Digital technologies have become a regular part of everyday life and children meet them already during infancy. Excessive use of smartphones, tablets or computers has negative consequences, including the risk of pathological development and causing mental health problems (gaming disorder is already described in ICD-11). There is no question whether children should or shouldn’t use modern technology, but when, and how to set the rules of use and how to be a good guide. Pediatricians are expected to know when and how to talk to families and children in order to reduce the potential risks of over-exploiting technology and to prevent the development of technological addiction – it is desirable to limit the screen time, to choose the appropriate content and to ensure optimal ways of parental intervention.

Keywords: digital technology, computer games, addiction, internet

Published: April 5, 2019  Show citation