Virtual reality as a subject of counseling for families with teenagers

family counseling, adolescents, attitude to the Internet, virtual world

Relevance The rapid spread of modern information technologies, the transition to distance learning during the COVID 19 pandemic has led to an increase in parents' anxiety about adolescents' low communication skills in real life. At the same time, parents practically do not see the positive aspects of the virtual world. Accordingly, virtual reality, the attitude towards it becomes the object of conflict interaction and the subject of family counseling. The purpose of the study is to highlight the strategy of the consultant's behavior in a situation of families with adolescents. Research methods and sample Case-study, analysis of 14 families with adolescents 14 -16 years old during the pandemic (2020-2022), a survey of parents of adolescents (43 people in total). Main results Adolescents are characterized as introverts, sensitive; quickly get tired, experience difficulties in communicating with peers, intellectually developed. For this category of teenagers, the transition to distance learning was a kind of boon that allowed them to study at their own pace and improve academic performance, which was also noted by parents. This circumstance was used by the consultant as a starting point for changing the attitude of parents to the Internet. The content of the consultation is also the relationship of network players, behavior in conflict situations, attitudes towards success and failure. Interest in computer games, virtual life is most often unexpected for teenagers, it helps to establish contact with a psychologist, opens a new world for parents, promotes an open discussion of the dangers of the Internet. Conclusion Accordingly, the tasks of the consultant are to expand the parents' understanding of the modern technology’s possibilities, reduce their anxiety and, ultimately, promote the acceptance of their children. It is this position that contributes to the differentiation between virtual and real life by adolescents, the growth of their self-control.