Lesson 45: Internet Addiction – Dependence on the Internet or Games (Lessons 1581–1610) · Course Catalog
Symptom characteristics:
Internet addiction is characterized by uncontrolled use, intense cravings, and impaired functioning, often accompanied by attention deficits and emotional problems; it is associated with the instant reward mechanisms of social media/games.
Course Objectives:
Under the premise of safety and respect, a comprehensive approach of "boundary establishment, behavior substitution, emotion regulation, family and school collaboration, relapse prevention, and long-term follow-up" is adopted to reduce harm and restore learning/work and interpersonal functions.
- Common characteristics of behavioral addictions include uncontrolled use, intense cravings, and impaired function.
- Instant rewards, fear of missing out, and attention hijacking; impact on studies/work/relationships.
- Micro-goals, time blocks, and alternative activity lists are used to gradually reduce online time.
- Family Boundaries and Support Script: Negotiation, not confrontation; joint oversight, not punishment.
- Triple protection during the sensitive period of growth: stable routine, offline interests, and peer support.
- Likes and comparison anxiety; batch viewing and disabling unnecessary notifications.
- Intermittent reinforcement, task chains, and paid incentives; setting executable exit points.
- Using the internet to numb stress and loneliness actually weakens the ability to deal with real-world problems.
- Multitasking and frequent switching impair focus and learning efficiency.
- Two-way impact; addressing emotional issues in parallel to reduce the risk of relapse.
- Recognize anxiety and irritability; use breathing, mindfulness, and movement to get through the peak periods.
- Triple boundaries of time, place, and device: no screen in the bedroom, disconnect from the internet one hour before bedtime.
- 24-hour mini-experiments—weekend light internet disconnection—regular long vacations, progressing in stages.
- Family screen time agreement and reward/punishment system: transparent record-keeping and joint enforcement.
- From command to negotiation, rebuild trust, consistency, and enforceable boundaries.
- Collaborate with class teachers/counselors; participate in peer contracts and offline club activities.
- Restore a sense of control and accomplishment with achievable tasks and instant feedback.
- Periodic reviews, threshold reminders, and alternative activities should be solidified into habits.
- Identify the early endpoints of the "trigger-idea-action" process, interrupt them promptly, and seek help.
- Understand the "sense of being seen" that comes with a virtual identity, and be aware of the risks of over-reliance on online evaluations for self-worth.
- The conflict between online instant gratification and the ability to delay gratification in reality.Compare the thrill of "instant liking" with the importance of delayed gratification in real life, and practice enduring waiting and frustration.
- Analyze the impact of prolonged internet use on focus, planning ability, and task execution, and learn how to rebuild your learning and work rhythm.
- Deconstruct the comparison traps in social media, recognize the illusion of "others shining while you are at your lowest point," and protect your self-esteem.
- See the function of the online world in emotional anesthesia, and understand the psychological cycle from temporary escapism to long-term dependence.
- Analyze the "reward-level-up-task" design used by games and platforms to understand how you are tamed by algorithms and mechanisms.
- Starting with boredom, loneliness, and stress, find the real psychological triggers that drive you to repeatedly scroll through your phone and play games.
- Observe the impact of internet addiction on intimate relationships and communication patterns, and learn to repair misunderstandings and build real connections.
- Understand how late-night screen time disrupts sleep rhythms, emotional stability, and brain recovery, and design gentle nighttime closing rituals.
- By comparing the "reward poverty" in daily life with the high-stimulation environment of the internet, we explore ways to rebuild satisfaction in reality.
- From withdrawal to long-term planning, we help you design a sustainable and personalized digital lifestyle and usage boundaries.
- “"Traditional free mandala" is the most open form of creation, without presupposing structure, theme or symbolism, emphasizing lines and colors that flow naturally from within.
- Please complete the course evaluation to review your learning and provide suggestions. This will help you deepen your understanding and help us improve the course.
Note: This content is for self-understanding and training purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis and emergency treatment. If significant functional impairment or safety hazards occur, please seek offline assistance immediately.
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