THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: According to a study report, anxiety and depression are increasing in school students as their addiction to internet increases. In a survey conducted among 457 adolescent students of 16 schools in the state by Kanal, a voluntary organization, it was found that 66.5 percent of the children were in the grip of anxiety disorder.

62.3 percent students suffer from depression. Both diseases are more common among boys than among girls. 27.6 percent of students suffering from anxiety disorders and 14.8 percent of students suffering from depressive disorders require urgent medical help.

Kanal's director Anson PD Alexander told Keralakaumudi that the reason for this is that children's mental health is not given importance in the curriculum even at a time when anti-drug campaigns are being conducted. The solution is not to completely ban students from using the Internet but to control their use. He added that the survey report would be published soon and forwarded to the education department for further studies.

Way to addiction

Online relationships that get intense
Cybersex
Online games
Addiction to information gathering

What are the symptoms?

Difficulty sleeping

Nightmares

Reluctance to go to school

Fear of being alone

Intermittent headaches and stomachaches

Mental stress

How to control?

Choose websites that are useful for children

Fixed time to use the internet

Internet usage on mobile phone isn't necessary

Talk to children

Put a child lock to avoid website that aren't necessary

Do not give internet banking and credit card information to children.