Adolescence: Contemporary Issues and Resources Essay

Research the range of contemporary issues teenagers face today. In a 500-750-word paper, choose one issue (besides teen pregnancy) and discuss its effect on adolescent behavior and overall well-being. Include the following in your submission:

Describe the contemporary issue and explain what external stressors are associated with this issue.
Outline assessment strategies to screen for this issue and external stressors during an assessment for an adolescent patient. Describe what additional assessment questions you would need to ask and define the ethical parameters regarding what you can and cannot share with the parent or guardian.
Discuss support options for adolescents encountering external stressors. Include specific support options for the contemporary issue you presented.

One of the most contemporary issues affecting adolescents is internet addiction. Researchers have considered teen internet addiction as a serious issue and have proposed it be included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). This essay addressed teen internet addiction as a contemporary issue; external stressors are associated with it; assessment strategies to screen and external stressors during an assessment for an adolescent patient; ethical consideration on what to discuss with the parents, and support options for adolescents encountering external stressors. Adolescence: Contemporary Issues and Resources Essay.

Internet Addiction

Today’s adolescents have lived their lives with internet that has allowed them to stay informed and keep in contact with friends through different social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. However, extended hours on the internet can lead to addiction and related problems. Internet is considered as an addiction when it affects the user negatively. The negative effects include feelings of anxiety when not on internet, disregard of personal hygiene and social life, and spending more time on the internet than with friends. Symptoms of internet addiction are similar to those of substance addiction or behavior. Effects of internet addiction are detrimental to an individual including low self-esteem, negative self-concept, emotional instability, and even depression (Alimoradi et al., 2019). Low self-esteem and depression may lead to serious issues such as online fantasy where an individual creates a different form of themselves.

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External Stressors

Internet addiction occurs gradually and is associated with several external stressors. Teenage years are associated with stress and emotional turmoil as the adolescents try to deal with physical, emotional and psychological changes taking place in their bodies. Most teenagers are in high school and have to deal with external stressors such as stress and pressure from parents to achieve good grades and become productive in life, perform exceptionally in sports and maintain a positive image among their peers. The internet is a place where teens can get a therapeutic release from anxiety and social pressure (Poli, 2017). Teens use internet to escape their feelings which is unchecked can lead to addiction. For adolescent who are in the process of developing healthy coping skills and do not have guidance on how to cope with external stressors, internet become a source of solace as they can portray any image of themselves online.

Assessing for Internet Addiction

Adolescents are unique and their symptoms of addiction will manifest differently. According to Neverkovich et al (2018), assessment for internet addiction follows several patterns.Adolescence: Contemporary Issues and Resources Essay.  At first, there is preoccupation with internet, followed by inability to stop, emotional changes, and staying on the internet for long hours. In addition, the victim of internet addiction must be assessed to establish if he uses internet as an escape route, lie about internet use to caregivers, and lose interest in life endeavors (Poli, 2017). Caregivers, parents, and guardians should play an active role in observing and identifying signs of addiction. If a parent observes signs such as abandonment of hobbies, poor performance in school, spending more time online or on phone, lack of social interaction and heightened anxiety when not online, treatment and support should be sought.

Treatment and Support

Early treatment and support of internet addiction will help adolescents to regain their normal life. Teens who manifest external stressors can be supported using available resources. Treatment option range from cognitive behavior therapies, counselling, and administration of anti-depressants to treat depression. Other intervention can include goal setting, monitored computer/phone use, setting amount of time to be taken online, and intensive therapy and regular exercise. In summary, internet is a technological part of the world and is constantly changing. There is need to strike a balance between time spent on internet and in real life activities. Healthcare professionals can educate and guide adolescents on effective behaviors to avoid internet addiction. Adolescence: Contemporary Issues and Resources Essay.

References

Alimoradi, Z., Lin, C. Y., Broström, A., Bülow, P. H., Bajalan, Z., Griffiths, M. D., & Pakpour, A. H. (2019). Internet addiction and sleep problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 47, 51-61.

Neverkovich, S. D., Bubnova, I. S., Kosarenko, N. N., Sakhieva, R. G., Sizova, Z. M., Zakharova, V. L., & Sergeeva, M. G. (2018). Students’ internet addiction: study and prevention. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 14(4), 1483-1495.

Poli, R. (2017). Internet addiction update: diagnostic criteria, assessment and prevalence. Neuropsychiatry, 7(1), 04-08. Adolescence: Contemporary Issues and Resources Essay.