UK hospital opens internet rehab clinic for "screenagers"

The Capio Nightingale Hospital in London has launched the Young Person Technology Addiction Service for patients as young as 12 following calls from parents concerned about their children's obsession.

During the theraphy, youngsters will be banned off their gadgets in a residential unit.

The treatment aims to increase off-screen social activities and improve the youngsters' confidence in face-to-face situations, the lack of which may have made them more susceptible to technology addiction.

The theraphy also encourages them to evaluate their relationship with their phone, computer games or social networking websites like Facebook and teaches them skills to help them to switch off.

The clinic is planning to include a check up at body image and physical health in the treatment package, if the addiction has an impact on the teenager's confidence, activity levels or diet.

Counseling on online problems, like cyber bullying, may be integrated in the intensive in-patient care, group or individual therapy.