Digital addiction in childhood: father gets bitten 40 times by his son while trying to take away his cell phone.
The dependence on technology has intensified over the years and became even more evident during the pandemic.
247 - A family is experiencing intense hardship after their 15-year-old son developed severe signs of digital addiction. The teenager, diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), suffers withdrawal symptoms when separated from screens, even exhibiting episodes of aggression. His parents, who are now seeking solutions to reverse the situation, acknowledge that the problem began in childhood when he received his first cell phone at age six. (Source: [Source Name]) TV Globo.
"We were financial market workers, we worked a lot, and over time, the cell phone ended up being the way to keep him calmer while we did things. The cell phone ended up taking over and occupying the space he had in life," says the father.
Technology dependence has intensified over the years and became even more evident during the pandemic. The mother recalls the first warning signs. "We noticed it in an everyday situation, like: 'look, it's bath time, lunchtime'. We would start taking them, but then think: 'whoa, wait a minute'."
As time went on, the son's reactions to being away from his cell phone became more intense. "The moment he realizes he's not in that world, the crises begin, the withdrawal symptoms kick in. If the internet fails, he gets stressed. In reality, we deal with it day by day," explains the father.
The family is trying to establish a routine to reduce the teenager's dependence. "I created a routine folder for him to wake up, brush his teeth, and put it on the board on the wall for him to try to follow. If he followed it twice, that was a lot," the father reports.
In addition to the emotional difficulties, the son's aggressive behavior has become an additional challenge. During his crises, he even hurts himself and attacks his own parents. "The worst part isn't that; when he reaches the peak of stress, he hurts himself. When it's very quiet, we already get worried. We go into the room and sometimes he wants us to go outside because he wants privacy," the father laments.
The attacks have already left physical marks on the parents. "It's a huge scar, there were more than 40 bites," reveals the father, showing photos of the injuries caused by his son.
Given the seriousness of the situation, the family seeks professional help to deal with the problem. Experts warn that screen addiction, especially when associated with neurological disorders, can have profound impacts on child development and behavior. Treatment includes adopting strategies to reduce screen time, psychological support, and, in some cases, specialized medical intervention.
