China Uses Hypnosis To Rehabilitate Internet-Addicted Teenagers

For a long time now, there has been concern over the amount of time children spend in front of their video games and on the internet. A report published by the American Medical Association (AMA) last year, suggested that too much exposure can result in negative effects such as behavioural or social impairment.

The worst cases are in players of MORRPG’s (Massively Multi-player Online Role Playing Games, pronounced ‘morpegs’). These games are competitive, played in real-time and highly social. The AMA reported that players of MORRPG’s are often far better as socialising in a virtual environment than in real life.

In moderation, these games can have a positive impact and develop socialisation skills, particularly across diverse cultures. In Portugal, the games have been used to help abused children to open up to others, increasing their computer skills and team building. They also encourage creative thinking as the ‘enemy’ is often human, played by other gamers.

However, the internet and MORRPG’s can be incredibly addictive. In Kenya, which claims a 90% home broadband penetration level, they believe around 2.4 million children under the age of 18 are at risk of internet addiction. That’s around 30% of their under 18 population.

Several countries are taking steps to limit addiction, including changing the rules on game creation so that after three hours it becomes incredibly difficult to gain points and impossible after five. It seems China has taken several drastic steps. Their policies include preventing play after five hours, banning children from internet cafes and setting up rehabilitation clinics. The clinics use military disciplines, counselling, hypnosis and even mild electric shocks, not exactly a summer camp!

Counselling and Hypnotherapy can help the addicted to overcome their addiction and bring it back to a more normal level. In hypnosis, for example, it could be suggested that after a couple of hours they may feel the need for a change in activity.

The AMA has made recommendations to include Internet or Video Game Addiction as an official disorder but a decision has yet to be made.

Deciding when gaming or the internet becomes harmful is still open to discussion but it still remains in the hands of parents to help their children to build a natural, balanced life with their activities.

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