“Internet addiction” was once used to describe youngsters hooked on watching videos or playing games online. However, today, an increasing number of seniors are also falling victim, Yinchuan Evening News reported.
A woman surnamed Wang from Yinchuan in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region recently experienced a worrying episode. She realized her mother was addicted to her mobile phone. After feeling dizzy recently, Wang’s mother underwent a physical checkup and was diagnosed with cervical spine deformity, as well as impaired eyesight. She spends eight hours a day playing games, watching the news and short video clips online and is just one of many seniors increasingly glued to their mobile phones.
According to a report on internet use by China’s elderly produced by mobile content aggregator Qutoutiao last year, 38.6 per cent of people aged 60 or older were internet users, and around 0.2 per cent of them spend at least 10 hours a day online. Medical experts said phone overuse could worsen cervical spondylosis and lead to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition to health problems, phone addictions also trigger family disputes.
“My mother shoots video clips every day and often stays up late playing on the phone,” a woman surnamed Zhao said.”She ignored me when I spoke to her about it and even got angry with me.”
Wei Junping, a psychological consultant, said that heavy use of mobile phones is linked to the spare time seniors have after retirement and their desire for contact with others.
“After they retire, some elderly people have fewer opportunities to socialize and fall into a spiritual void of loneliness,” Wei said, adding that for many retirees, a smartphone is the best way to kill time.
The elderly interact with friends through social media platforms such as WeChat, which makes them feel connected, while short video-sharing media such as TikTok feed their curiosity.
Wei said while it is natural for the elderly to try to meet their emotional needs and find validation online, they should try to limit the amount of time they spend on their mobile phones and ensure they get regular rest at night.
For their part, adult children should visit their parents more frequently to help relieve their loneliness and encourage them to get involved in more healthy activities to enrich their lives.
So everyone tries to spend more time with your parents!
