Addicted to the Internet?

[WoodysGirl]

Are You an Internet Addict?
Fri Nov 3, 2006 7:58AM EST

I was reading through an AFP report on Yahoo! News that says Serbia is now treating people with Internet addictions. This counseling center considers anyone who is not interested in daily activities with family and friends as a potential Internet addict and looks for other signs such as spending prolonged hours online, turning to virtual friends, and isolation. I'm not sure exactly how they treat Internet addiction, but they say treatment usually lasts one year.

After reading this, I headed over to Net Addiction and took an Internet Addiction Test (IAT) that told me my Internet usage is causing occasional problems in my life. I won't take that test too seriously because my occupation requires me to be online a lot of the time. However, I will keep that in mind next time I choose surfing the web over, er, household chores. Can you blame me?

Internet addiction can be harmful for those who delve into the darker side of the web, such as online gambling, cybersex, online affairs, and online gaming. But how do you know when you or someone you love is addicted to the Internet? When is it time to pull the plug and seek treatment?

Here's a list of common symptoms to watch out for:

1. Lying about how much time is spent online.
2. General decrease of physical activity and social life.
3. Neglecting obligations at home, work, or school to spend time online.
4. Spending too much money on computer equipment or Internet activities.
5. Feeling a constant desire to be online when they're away from the computer.
6. Going online to escape real world problems.
7. Disregarding the emotional or physical consequences of being in front of a computer all day.
8. Denial of the problem.

There is much debate about the reality of Internet addiction. The bottom line is that anything can be harmful when abused. If you find yourself spending more time online than with real people, then plan for some quality time with the family or friends every other day. Find an activity the whole family enjoys and make a date with them.

I personally disconnect completely every weekend and get out of the house so I'm not tempted to check email. I also have movie nights and "Lost" nights during the week, which are a great excuse to turn off the computer. Different things work for different people, so just find something you enjoy and don't hesitate to shut the computer off.

What do you do to escape cyberspace?

LINK

 

[calico]

Interesting.

I actaully thought I was addicted to the internet back in 2001 but I found out I was just in college and had too much time on my hands when I worked out a schedule that saw me with no classes on Mon, Wed, and Fri...I am still proud of working that one out.

I was addicted to Ebay a few years ago and finally kicked that habit after one of my moves saw me throwing away a truck full of useless crap that I had gotten off ebay.

The only reason for me to log online now is to check email and visit some football forums...

I am not addicted to the internet but I am addicted to football. I know alot more about what is going on around the league because of the internet and I get to interact with opposing fans (I had only met 1 Commander fan in my life).

I only find myself online much more often during football season because once it ends, then I really only spend less than an hour online per day.

I would much rather watch a movie, hang out with a friend, go out, play bass guitar, head to the gun range, etc...than log online.


Something that could be mentioned under here is My Space. My brother's girlfriend is addicted to My Space and spends hours on there everynight. It has even ruined their 7 year relationship because he found out she had a page (after she had told him for over a year that she did not and that she just checked out friend's pages) and was in contact with all sorts of ex boy friends and whatnot...she basically had a seperate life that he did not know about and theirs would not be the first relationship I have seen ruined because of My Space.

 

[TRUTH87]

I used to be addicted to the internet. especially during my summer break period. I would always stay up late surfing the internet and playing around with my Paint shop.

That quickly has changed tho'. now that I Graduated and working full time.

 

[ROMOSAPIEN9]

I took the test and answered honestly.....

You are an average on-line user. You may surf the Web a bit too long at times, but you have control over your usage.

 

[calico]

I took the test and answered honestly.....

I got the same response with a score of 23.

 

[tomson75]

I took the test and answered honestly.....

same here...got a 34.

 

[the kid 05]

i got 19, egh, i spend more time playing video games (xbox 360) then i do online

 

[The30YardSlant]

Got a 32, average on-line user

 

[cowboys19]

82

80 - 100 points: Your Internet usage is causing significant problems in your life. You should evaluate the impact of the Internet on your life and address the problems directly caused by your Internet usage.


life sucks for me, and if it wasent for the internet, i probably wont be alive

 

[Doomsday]

82

80 - 100 points: Your Internet usage is causing significant problems in your life. You should evaluate the impact of the Internet on your life and address the problems directly caused by your Internet usage.


life sucks for me, and if it wasent for the internet, i probably wont be alive

I thought I was bad with a 44. Looking at your score makes me want to stay online longer.

 

[k19]

Its syberia, what else do they have to do.