Are You an Internet Addict?

Fri Nov 3, 2006 7:58AM EST

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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?

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Comments on Are You an Internet Addict?

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  • 26 Posted by mzk4lyfe101 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    After reading that checklist, it makes me question if I have internet addiction. Great Article!

  • 27 Posted by ennaid on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    Sitting and watching TV isn't much of an 'escape' it's just a different monitor. I read online like I would a book, but not 24/7. I also work online. Pretty soon there will be books/experts/whatever to 'help you' with your online addiction and all sorts of other consumer gizmos to heal you - until you find something else to be addicted to. I can't wait for someone to try and stage an intervention - I'd laugh so hard...

  • 28 Posted by bigb51686 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have internet addiction. It's called World Of Warcraft. And it's very geared towarad social situations that come up in everyday life. So it's not really an addiction. It's something to do besides go outside. *nods*

  • 29 Posted by j0edwards on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    WERE READING THIS SO THE MIND IS ATTRACTING TO INTEREST ON HERE DAILY..SO YES WE WE SHOULD MONITOR OURSELVES...

  • 30 Posted by ohrcity on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    i disagree completely with villafying the internet in this fashion. an internet addiction is like a life addiction--society is becoming increasingly internet-based so it makes logical sense that people are spending more time online. granted, people can argue that they're addicted, but anything can become an addiction. the idea of treatment centers from something that does not chemically alter the mind or body in any way, shape, or form comes off as a capitalization on the weaknesses and fears of people with low self esteem. it's simply another way for pseudoscience to make money off of those in society that want to blame their personal issues on outside factors. if anything, the people that used to be afraid to go out in society and interact with people now have a venue to do so where they aren't judged on looks and who's-friends-with-who, but simply their ability to type cogently. i for one am very in-favor of the internet and think it gives people that previously felt outcast by society a medium to meet and interact, such as online dating and other services that, while i do not use them personally, could be incredibly valuable to people with social anxiety issues. again, addiction is very real, but anything can be an addiction. if you wake up every day at 11 am and drink milk, and one day you don't have it, you're going to feel strange. this doesn't mean your brain is chemically fiending for "milk", but people have to realize that when you make anything routine, it becomes natural. if people want to play sports or disconnect their computer on weekends let them, but don't accuse people of having a problem if they find online interaction more pleasant and less judgementally-inclined than real-world interaction....there isn't gonna be much of a difference in the near future anyway. -dan, ohrcity@yahoo.com

  • 31 Posted by houglumeli on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    Great article! Hope it makes a few people realize some things :)

  • 33 Posted by jamieb33r on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    i am a Internet Addict ..! here were i live in greece there nothing els to do ..! i live in a vilage with 1800 people and more then half of them are old an the over half are ..! i only go out when i go to school at 7:30 then come back at 2 go to the pc go to sleep at 12..! and on saturday ..! thats my life.!

  • 34 Posted by toniazito on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well, for the last two weeks, I have watched "Lost" online--so even my TV time is turning onto computer time! Toni

  • 35 Posted by linus501 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    Is this article serious? You could replace "drugs" (or virtually anything addictive) with "internet" in the author's "common symptoms" list. Absolutely no insight in this article whatsoever. Unbelievable.... But perhaps I am in denial of my own problem: If I took the time to read this "advice" and write a response, I am clearly jonesing for even the shwagiest of internet fixes.

  • 36 Posted by judge_j_rutherford on Fri Nov 3, 2006 2:36PM EST Report Abuse

    NO MESSAGE BOARD?!?! THIS STORY JUST *BEGS* A POST HEADLINED "DANA CREW=WORSE THAN HEROIN ADDICTS!!!". WTF YAHOO?!?!?

  • 37 Posted by pgrece on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's always interesting how some people are so anti-internet, even when they don't intend to be. There will always be a group that refuses to change, and fights back by calling those that have changed "wrong". An online culture is developing and it scares a lot of people....but regardless it is going to continue to grow.

  • 38 Posted by reid947 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    Since when is "online gaming" part of the "darker side of the web"?

  • 39 Posted by lunch172 on Fri Nov 3, 2006 2:37PM EST Report Abuse

    Wow. This is a good article. I think more parents should be aware of how their kids spend time on the internet or just on the computers at all. I also agree that kids should be more active in social clubs, sports, as well as spending time with their family. Thanks so much Gina! =Justin

  • 40 Posted by lunch172 on Fri Nov 3, 2006 2:37PM EST Report Abuse

    Wow. This is a good article. I think more parents should be aware of how their kids spend time on the internet or just on the computers at all. I also agree that kids should be more active in social clubs, sports, as well as spending time with their family. Thanks so much Gina! =Justin

  • 42 Posted by spankurass2003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    The time you spend playing video games or surfing the web is directly proportionate to the size of your gutt.

  • 44 Posted by bob4gov on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    I dont see the internet as an addiction at this time. In truth, is is becoming more active rather than passive which indicates a passion for developement. Highqelectronics.com realizes the potential and is currently working on any social issues which may evolve.

  • 45 Posted by pmfroggy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    Thank you for this article. You did a good job of putting into words something I've wished I could. The questions were helpful to get us honest about it, too. My key question for myself is: Is my time spent on here contributing to making life/relationships more genuine or better for me or someone else? Let's all pitch the rationalizations and make real friends. Good work!

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