Digital addiction among teenagers in Italy: 100,000 young people at risk

The Italian National Institute of Health has published alarming figures on digital addiction among teenagers. Approximately 100,000 young people aged 15 to 18 are at risk of social media addiction, while half a million suffer from online gaming addiction. According to the Social Warning Association, 77% of Italian teenagers report being addicted to digital devices.

Educational poverty and family relationships

Con i Bambini, an organization that has supported 800 projects against educational poverty, identifies two main causes of this addiction: educational poverty and relationship difficulties. More than 75% of teenagers experiencing digital isolation have a distorted, dysfunctional, or nonexistent relationship with their parents.

Legislation and prevention

Last November, the European Parliament called for the minimum age for accessing online platforms to be set at 16. France, Italy, and Spain are considering banning social media for those under 15. However, Simona Rotondi of Con i Bambini believes that a ban alone is not enough: the challenge is primarily educational. She advocates reconnecting young people to their local communities rather than simply closing off access to the digital world.

Parents and young people facing the phenomenon

According to the Demopolis Institute, 83% of Italian adults say they are alarmed by teenage addiction. Parents are seeking help from institutions and schools. Young people themselves, aware of the problem, favor prevention and education over responsible use, rather than repression.

To delve deeper into this topic, consult the full article.

Source: Italy: Digital addiction among young people, a phenomenon that is causing increasing concern

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