Counseling Case

The mother sat in front of the counselor, wiping away her tears sadly, and said in a trembling voice:

“My fourteen-year-old son no longer lives among us. His body is with us, but his mind is in another world... the world of electronic games. He sits in front of the screen for hours, refuses to eat with us, neglects his studies, and when I ask him to stop, he becomes angry as if I were committing a crime against him. He has become quick-tempered and withdrawn, and when I try to talk to him, he responds coldly: ‘Just one more hour, Mom,’ but that hour stretches until dawn...”

She paused for a few seconds, then added bitterly:

“As for my daughter, she has become a prisoner of her phone... she never lets it out of her sight! Social media fills her life. She compares herself with influencers, follows the details of celebrities’ lives, and has become more concerned with appearance than substance. When I try to stop her, she cries as if I have deprived her of her life. Even when we gather as a family, her eyes remain fixed on the screen, and if I ask her how she is, she responds with one word without any interest. I feel that I am losing them... I am afraid that one day I will no longer recognize my son and daughter.”

The counselor looked at her sympathetically and said calmly:

“I understand your pain, but we must first understand why they have reached this stage, and then work together to find a solution.”

First: Defining the Problem

Addiction to electronic devices and social media is a condition in which an adolescent loses control over their use of these means, negatively affecting their psychological, social, and academic life. The phone or electronic games become a priority at the expense of school responsibilities, family communication, and other daily activities, leading to social isolation, poor academic achievement, and psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression.

It is not merely excessive use; it becomes a genuine addiction when the adolescent loses the ability to stop using these devices despite the obvious harm, and experiences anger or anxiety when prevented from using them.

“Research shows that 92% of adolescents use the Internet daily, while 24% of adolescents are continuously connected to the Internet.

In fact, many of the symptoms of Internet addiction correspond to those of drug addiction. Brain scans have shown that Internet addiction disorder and substance-use addiction share the same neural signature. The difference is that addictive substances, such as alcohol and drugs, release powerful neurochemicals when they enter the body, whereas behavioral addictions, such as video games, gambling, or Internet use, result from the release of the same neurochemicals as a consequence of the behavior. Therefore, whether the result comes from engaging in certain behaviors or consuming certain chemicals, the outcomes are the same.” (1)

One of the most prominent symptoms of Internet addiction is wasting time and neglecting practical and social responsibilities, as well as using the Internet for long periods, averaging 35–40 hours per week (2), noting that browsing the Internet is not for obtaining useful information for work or study, but rather for communicating and chatting with others online.

Second: Analysis of the Problem and Its Causes

There are many causes, including the following:

1. Seeking Escape from Reality

An adolescent who experiences academic pressure, family problems, or loneliness may turn to electronic games or social media as a way of escaping stress.

2. Seeking Immediate Pleasure and Becoming Addicted to It

Electronic games and social media are designed with algorithms that cause the brain to release dopamine, the same hormone associated with addiction to drugs. This makes the adolescent want more without realizing how much time is being wasted.

3. Seeking Social Acceptance and Belonging

Social media gives adolescents an opportunity to present themselves as they wish, making them obsessed with interaction and “likes” in search of a sense of acceptance and belonging.

4. Weak Family Bonds

If both parents are busy with work and do not set aside daily time to communicate with their children, the adolescent may seek an alternative world that provides the interaction they are missing.

If there are marital and family problems, these can cause stress for the children, prompting them to relieve their feelings through the use of electronic devices.

5. Lack of Supervision and Guidance

When parents do not establish clear rules for the use of electronic devices, the adolescent is left to create their own rules, which may result in them becoming deeply immersed in addiction without realizing it.

6. Social Pressure and Media Influence

The adolescent sees everyone around them addicted to their phones and feels that they will fall behind if they do not behave like everyone else.

Third: Dealing with the Problem

In order to address the problem of adolescents’ addiction to electronic devices, the educator should understand the underlying causes of this behavior and then adopt effective educational approaches that help guide the child toward balanced use of technology, without imposing strict restrictions that make them feel constrained or push them toward resistance.

The following points can help the educator deal with this problem wisely and consciously:

First: Acknowledge the Problem and Build a Calm Dialogue

We recommend following these points:

• Avoid scolding or accusing: Do not begin the conversation with the adolescent by criticizing or blaming them. Instead, use a reassuring approach that shows your concern for them.

• Express concern in emotional language: Instead of saying, “You are wasting your time on the phone,” say, “I notice that you spend a lot of time online, and I am worried because this is affecting your studies and your health.”

• Ask about the reasons: Try to understand why the adolescent spends so much time online. Are they