Why are there more and more “Internet addiction elderly”
With the popularization of the Internet and the adaptation to aging, many elderly people are addicted to the Internet and find it difficult to extricate themselves
● The leisure time of the elderly gradually increases after they quit the workplace, and they are more likely to feel lonely. The Internet can bring new space and spiritual sustenance to their lives. In addition, the elderly have reduced physical function and decreased self-discipline, so they are easily addicted to the Internet
● In addition to being easily deceived and suffering property losses, the elderly's over-reliance on the Internet will also have a greater negative impact on their own health.
The ocular surface function of the elderly is relatively fragile, and long-term use of mobile phones is more likely to cause eye discomfort and disease.
In addition, it can easily cause health problems such as neurasthenia, shoulder, neck and back pain, loss of appetite, etc.
● To promote the formation of a good environment for the elderly to participate in digital life, it requires the cooperation of families and society to jointly promote
□ The reporter's trainee reporter Zhang Shoukun
□ reporter Wang Yang
At 2:30 in the morning, a room in the house was still faintly lit. Beijing citizen Wang Ming (pseudonym) knew that this was his grandfather who was nearly 70 years old and hid in the bed and secretly made a short video.
"Now I don't go out for a walk every day. I play with my mobile phone as long as I have nothing to do. One time I didn't pay attention to boiling water at home and almost burned the kitchen. He had problems with his eyes, and he didn't turn on the lights when playing with his mobile phone at night." Wang Ming said, persuading himself My grandfather has called me many times, but he will pick up the phone again after a few minutes.
This situation is not alone.
In the past, many young people were addicted to the online world, which made many elders in the family puzzled or even blamed.
With the popularization of the Internet and the aging and transformation of apps, many "silver-haired people" will use smart devices proficiently, but while bringing convenience to them, many elderly people are also addicted to the Internet and find it difficult to extricate themselves.
The elderly addicted to the Internet will not only cause a series of health problems, but may also be deceived due to a lack of understanding and vigilance of various routines.
Experts interviewed by a reporter from the "Rule of Law" believe that the "silver-haired" Internet addiction is not only due to lack of companionship and hope to eliminate the generation gap and other family reasons, but also social reasons. Solving the Internet addiction of the elderly requires not only family members. Guidance also requires the participation of the entire society.
The growing popularity of smartphones
The elderly are addicted to the Internet
Recently, "what should parents do if they are addicted to mobile phones" has become a hot topic in young people's social life.
Many netizens said that their parents have become "Internet addicted elderly" who do not leave their mobile phones. They do not go for a walk or play chess. They lie on the sofa at home and swipe their phones every day. It’s useless at all. Often the left hand just puts down the phone, and the right hand picks it up again.
The main data of the seventh national census released on May 11 this year shows that there are over 240 million people aged 60 and over in our country. What are their living conditions and spiritual needs? Can they keep up with the ever-changing intelligent society and become the whole society? Popular topics of concern.
According to the 47th "Statistical Report on China's Internet Development Status" released by the China Internet Network Information Center, as of December 2020, my country has nearly 260 million "silver-haired Internet users" (over 50 years old), and elderly Internet users over 60 years old account for nearly 260 million Internet users. 10.3% of the 940 million netizens, and the user growth rate is higher than that of all netizens, becoming an important increase and component of netizens.
At the same time, national and local aging policies are frequently introduced.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has decided to organize a one-year special action on the ageing and barrier-free transformation of Internet applications across the country starting from January 2021. Related companies have launched related products and services that are "old-friendly" versions. Solve the problem of the elderly surfing the Internet.
With the in-depth development of the Internet, people’s stereotypes of “elderly people don’t know how to surf the Internet and don’t use smartphones” are gradually disappearing. Many old people play with mobile phones no worse than young people, and Internet addiction is no longer the “patent of young people”. ".
The "2020 Elderly Internet Life Report" shows that 0.19% of the elderly are online for more than 10 hours a day on some apps, and more than 100,000 elderly people live on the mobile network almost all day long.
The average daily usage time of elderly users over 60 years old reaches 64.8 minutes, and each elderly user logs in to the App 5 times a day on average.
Why are there more and more "Internet addiction elderly"?
Tan Rihui, a researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the reporter of the Rule of Law Daily that with the gradual popularization of smart phones, the proportion of elderly people using smart phones has increased year by year.
In the context of the deepening of aging, children are not around for a long time, the number of empty-nested elderly people living alone has increased, and the convenience and speed of network technology and entertainment have deepened the elderly's dependence on the Internet.
Li Jing, a lecturer at the School of Law of the China Institute of Labor Relations, believes that there may be the power of capital behind this.
“In the case of old mobile phones in the silent state and without any operation, some apps will automatically pop up some advertisements, the sound is very loud, and fills the entire screen. Some can be turned off through the phone settings, but they cannot be completely blocked, while the young people use them. Basically, these situations will not occur on mobile phones."
Li Jing said: “Some elderly people go online to maintain family emotions and social circles of acquaintances. In order to have a common language with younger generations, some elderly people also learn to use mobile phones to play games and touch areas they never know. As a result, their own network becomes successful. Addiction. The root of the problem lies in the lack of effective family companionship for the elderly. At the same time, they also need to find a sense of existence in the Internet age."
In addition to these reasons, Song Delong, the manager of a toy store in Tongzhou, Beijing, who often deals with the elderly, discovered that some elderly people choose to go online because they can't find other ways to play.
At around 3 pm on June 8, a reporter from the Rule of Law Daily saw Uncle Li in an Internet cafe in Hedong District, Tianjin. He was particularly prominent among a row of young people with white hair.
Uncle Li said: "After learning to surf the Internet, I feel that many games are quite interesting, so I often come to Internet cafes to play. Usually my children will visit me often, but I should also have some fun on my own. Now there is nothing special for the elderly to play. Something, if there is one, I think it can also reduce the time spent on the Internet."
Some experts said that the leisure time of the elderly gradually increases after they quit the workplace, and they are more likely to feel lonely. The Internet can bring new space and spiritual sustenance to their lives. In addition, the elderly have reduced physical function and decreased self-discipline. Addicted to the Internet.
The dangers of Internet addiction should not be underestimated
Easily fall into the trap of electronic fraud
Recently, Uncle Ma from Suzhou City, Anhui Province is addicted to mobile group chats.
A group friend told him in the WeChat group that now he only needs to pay a certain amount of monthly membership dues to become a member, and he can participate in the assets of a certain country's project and obtain high welfare returns.
Uncle Ma couldn't resist the recommendation of his friends, and fell into the trap of thawing national assets.
While Uncle Ma was dreaming of making a fortune, Yin Chuanzong, a policeman from the Taogou Police Station of Yongqiao Branch of Suzhou Public Security Bureau, discovered this situation during his daily visits and promptly analyzed the scammer’s fraudulent methods to Uncle Ma. He then realized it and avoided it. Suffered greater property damage.
Yin Chuanzong told a reporter from the Rule of Law Daily that if you can meet new friends and find more interesting lifestyles through the Internet, it is undoubtedly a good thing for the elderly, but they should not be overly addicted.
Uncle Ma’s experience is not unique. The middle-aged and elderly market has unlimited potential. Some people with ulterior motives regard the elderly as "new leeks" and set up various traps to gain the trust of the elderly and take the opportunity to "harvest."
Although middle-aged and elderly people have rich life experience, they are very easy to fall into the trap of fraud gangs in the face of the new and complex network environment and fraudulent methods that are difficult to distinguish between authentic and fake.
According to the "Anti-fraud White Paper for Middle-aged and Elderly People" released by Tencent 110 platform, in the first half of 2019, Tencent 110 platform received more than 20,000 reports of defrauding middle-aged and elderly people, and 97% of those who were deceived had suffered financial losses, with the amount ranging from 100 yuan. It can range from tens of thousands of yuan; the Tianjin Municipal Public Security Bureau recently released statistics on the current telecommunication network fraud cases uncovered this year in the city, showing that although the elderly group accounts for a small proportion, they are often prone to cases with a large amount of fraud. Resulting in greater losses.
In addition to being easily deceived and suffering property losses, the elderly are overly dependent on the Internet, which will also have a greater negative impact on their own health.
It is understood that the ocular surface function of the elderly is relatively fragile, and long-term mobile phone viewing is more likely to cause eye discomfort and disease.
In addition to eye diseases such as dry eyes and asthenopia, prolonged screen use can also easily cause health problems such as neurasthenia, shoulder, neck and back pain, and loss of appetite.
Some doctors said that they had received many elderly patients who had symptoms such as ghost images due to prolonged use of mobile phones, but their condition gradually eased after they were forced to quit their mobile phones.
Tan Rihui said that compared with young people, elderly people have different addiction objects, duration, and consequences, and they often cause greater harm.
Indulging in the Internet for a long time is not conducive to the physical and mental health of the elderly, and affects the healthy and active aging process.
Internet resources are mixed. It is difficult for the elderly to distinguish between the authenticity and the fake, and the risk awareness is weak, and they are easy to be deceived.
Li Jing believes that in terms of mental dependence, the elderly are much better than the young.
After getting older, the elderly may suffer various shocks, such as indifferent relationship with children, death of old friends, etc., and the feeling of loneliness will become stronger, and this feeling of loneliness will deepen his dependence on certain people or things. Sex.
"For example, if the elderly like a certain anchor, they will feel uncomfortable if they don’t see it. In this case, if someone asks him to give him a reward or'boom,' he will easily be deceived. Not only will they cause property damage, but they will also be mentally deceived. Will be traumatized, and this blow is more severe than that of young people."
"In addition, some elderly people may be affected by short videos and some health-preserving articles and treatments forwarded by Moments. If they are sick, they do not go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment. Instead, they believe in various prescriptions, which results in delays in their illness. In short, elderly people The harm caused by Internet addiction should be taken seriously." Li Jing said.
Guide to establish the correct concept
Really realize the happiness of old age
"Old children, old children, and old people will have the same curiosity and desire to explore as children when they get old. This should not be limited blindly, but should be rationally guided, just like treating young people's Internet addiction. "Li Jing said that after the elderly learn to use the Internet, it will bring great convenience to their travel and enable them to keep up with the pace of this era.
You can make friends through the Internet, you can also contact more old friends, and you can also narrow the distance between you and your children. Therefore, the issue of the Internet for the elderly should be treated dialectically.
Tan Rihui said that the correct “touching of the Internet” of the elderly helps to expand the breadth and depth of the elderly’s social participation and enjoy the dividends of social development; it is conducive to the self-realization, self-expression, and physical and mental health of the elderly; and it can allow the public to change their attitude towards the elderly. In the context of a learning-oriented society, the elderly’s reasonable “access to the Internet” can improve the quality of education for the elderly, and truly realize that they can learn and enjoy themselves.
Experts interviewed said that if we want to promote the formation of a good environment for the elderly to participate in digital life, we need the cooperation of families and society to advance together.
At the same time, the level of suitable aging should continue to increase.
A reporter from the "Rule of Law Daily" found that there are not only few manufacturers of toys suitable for the elderly, but also a lack of relevant standards. The public and even the elderly themselves do not know much about this, and there are many misunderstandings among them.
Song Delong said that if we want to change this situation, we can put old-age toys in community centers, squares and other places to expand their influence, integrate them with tourist attractions, and set up playgrounds for the elderly in scenic spots and shopping malls.
In the future, perhaps the elderly paradise will be as popular as the children’s paradise.
"These are inseparable from the policy support and guidance of the government and relevant departments, as well as media propaganda." Song Delong said.
In addition to strengthening the adaptation to aging, the entire Internet environment should also be more "care for the elderly."
Tan Rihui suggested that the construction of the Internet platform should actively create a network platform for the elderly to display themselves and make reasonable expressions, avoid the establishment of strong entertainment attributes and light content, and guide the elderly to correctly use network tools to participate in social life; the elderly themselves should establish a correct network The tool concept requires not only to recognize the dangers of indulging in the Internet, but also with the help of family members, through the continuous improvement of their own knowledge structure to create a network safety valve, and learn to distinguish between true and false information.
Li Jing said that many short video live broadcast platforms, mobile game online games, etc. have already launched a youth model. Correspondingly, an elderly model can also be launched. The platform is supervised and controlled, and content that is not suitable for the elderly and the elderly are likely to become dependent Push, divert and control from the root cause.
"Communities, governments, and social institutions can organize more outdoor activities to enrich the forms of activities as much as possible. There are more options for the elderly, and the number of elderly people who are addicted to the Internet will gradually decrease."
Yin Chuanzong reminded that while teaching the elderly how to access the Internet, children or community workers should also teach them basic knowledge of network security.
For example, carry out training activities, publicity activities, family member exchanges, etc., through actual cases to let the elderly have an intuitive understanding and experience of this, thereby enhancing the awareness of network security.
Tan Rihui said that to open a safe and accessible Internet "old age model" requires the joint efforts of relevant departments, social organizations, families, and Internet platforms.
Only by better protecting the elderly from Internet addiction, so that mobile phones and the Internet are no longer the only reliance of the elderly, can the Internet rights and interests of the elderly be truly protected, and can they truly enjoy the intelligent benefits brought by technological advancement.