Counsellors and social workers in Singapore say more youngsters are dealing with various forms of digital addiction, ranging from excessive use of social media and the internet to countless hours spent on gaming and pornography.
They told The Straits Times that devices are here to stay, and it is almost inevitable that the battle with technology for children's attention will grow.
Touch Community Services, which runs a counselling intervention programme for young people struggling with excessive use of digital devices, saw about 111 such cases in 2022, up 58 per cent from 70 in 2019.
We Care Community Services, an addiction recovery centre, said it has seen over 20 per cent more referrals for gaming addictions post-pandemic, compared with pre-Covid-19 years like 2019.
More queries and calls from schools and parents about digital addiction issues have also been coming in over the past three years, it said.
Many inquiries are from parents seeking guidance and advice on how to cope with children who are showing signs that they may be overly attached to their devices, said We Care's clinical director Tham Yuen Han.
Ms Andrea Chan, deputy director of Touch Mental Wellness, said the agency has handled cases of youth who skipped school due to their gaming habits, threatened suicide when their parents turned off the home Wi-Fi, or ran away from home when their parents stopped them from gaming.
Cases would come to light when parents notice a decline in their children's grades, reduced family engagement or time spent with their friends, she added.
Dr Melvyn Zhang, a consultant at the Institute of Mental Health's (IMH) National Addictions Management Service (Nams), said digital addiction issues, including gaming addictions and excessive digital device usage, are becoming increasingly pertinent, particularly among children.
Denne historien er fra November 09, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 09, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
COFFEE AND A LOOK AT NORTH KOREA
For anyone curious about civilian life in North Korea, Starbucks is offering its customers in the south a peek into the world's most reclusive country while sipping a favourite brew.
Shaw Theatres to close cinema at The Seletar Mall
Shaw Theatres will close its cineplex at The Seletar Mall on Dec 15, it announced via a press statement on Dec 2.
Conservationist Robert Irwin pays tribute to late father as he turns 21
Australian conservationist, TV personality and wildlife photographer Robert Irwin marked his 21st birthday on Dec 1 with a touching tribute to his late father Steve Irwin.
KRU first Malaysian act to use AI for music video
Malaysian music group KRU have unveiled Voodoo, the first single and music video from their upcoming album Kaset.
Titoudao actress Koe Yeet is engaged
Wedding bells are set to ring for Malaysian actress Koe Yeet.
Moana 2 sails to $495m debut at global box office
LOS ANGELES - Walt Disney's animated musical Moana 2 debuted with an estimated US$368 million (S$495 million) in global ticket sales through Dec 1, and combined with Wicked and Gladiator II to deliver the biggest Thanksgiving weekend in American and Canadian box-office history.
The road ahead for S'pore tourism
Singapore Tourism Board chief weighs in on upcoming attractions, staying competitive and creating value for tourists
Beyond the Angkor Wat
From lotus farms to a colourful circus, Cambodia's Siem Reap is a city with much to offer
In chess, a fan and a legend get to meet on a board
It's Saturday afternoon and John Chan, 32, is possibly in a joyous daze.
LIONESSES' LAST CHANCE
They must win third-place play-off to qualify for AFF Women's C'ship
