Thursday, February 28, 2013

Internet Addiction Treatments Around the Globe

The treatment of Internet addiction in the United States is very similar to how doctors would treat someone who has a substance abuse addiction. The most common practice focuses on trying to replace the damaging behavior, in this case using the Internet, with a more positive or productive behavior. Something along the lines of reading a new book instead of playing an online game. But what are the methods of other countries in treating Internet addiction?

As we discussed in the presentation Korea has not only the highest number of teenagers with an Internet addiction problem, but Korea also has the fastest growing rate of Internet addiction among its population. So I did some research on how the government is handling the growing issue. After the failing of a recently issued law banning children under the age of 16 from playing online games between midnight and six AM, Korea has decided to make kids go to horse therapy. Studies found the physical and emotional connection formed between the child and horse help the addict forget about using the Internet and focus more on taking care of the horse and increasing their horseback riding skills. Treating Internet addiction via horse therapy has been so successful for Korea that they have decided to expand from two treatment centers, to thirty by the end of 2022 to meet the growing demand.

source : http://uk.news.yahoo.com/horse-therapy-korean-internet-addicts-150117987.html