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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  • 47 Posted by bushisbadd on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's sad that people are addicted. But if there is an addiction, it's because there are personal issues with that person that he or she needs to deal with. Myspace is addicting, playing World of Warcraft is addicting, and chatting online is also addicting. It doesn't help that a lot of people go out with their personal laptops to get internet outside their home/office and people who have a blackberry so they can constantly check their email.

  • 48 Posted by angelina_macias2005 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    Two major physical problems that internet addiction causes is weight gain and a future with eyeglasses due to the damage excessive PC usage causes.

  • 49 Posted by stan_katz@prodigy.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    Articles like this are cute, but unfortunately they tend to trivialize REAL addictions. There is a big difference between an obsession, an abuse, and an addiction, and articles which try to make such trivial things as internet usage, eating chocolate, shopping, and watching soap operas into "addictions" do a big disservice to those who are desperately trying to help people with serious addictions to alcohol, heroin, crack, etc. When addicts can say "what's the big deal with my addiction, it's no worse than yours...", society is not helped.

  • 50 Posted by ygbnoah on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am spending a lot of time on YouGotBeer.com. You can buy someone a real beer online when you cannot be there in person. Do I have a problem with beer or the internet?

  • 51 Posted by mcushenberry1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    You bunch of weak @#$%s. Just another excuse for people not taking personal responsibility. GROW UP and GET A LIFE!

  • 52 Posted by awcavediver on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well, if any of us deny being an internet addict, then we automatically match criteria #8. I work in front of a computer all day. I'm used to it. So I guess I'd match criteria #7 too. We all take vacations, have a drink, or go do our favorite hobbies to escape real world problems. So I guess if we ever go online we match #6 criteria too.

  • 53 Posted by coasterrider1998 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    For other people, it is a phase through life. My sister had an overly obession with her computer at ages 12-15. She would never get off. I feel that maybe people have this as an advantage. The computer for me is a way to talk to others and share things.

  • 54 Posted by be_safe on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    The irony of reading about Internet addiction on the Internet is a little strange. But we each have our own addicitions, anyone ever mention the addition to television, or health clubs, or anything we obsess over.

  • 55 Posted by lamtweety2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    Nice Column! I think I am addicted. Sad, but true! Nice work.

  • 56 Posted by canyonjam on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    I enjoy reading way too much to live in front of a computer night and day. I use 'puters for lots of stuff but I can't handle any long distance reading unless it's print-on-paper. Besides, the heft of a good book has a solid, portable, chocolatey appeal to me that can't be delivered in pixels.

  • 57 Posted by wadesun on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    Internet has been a great tool for me. Most of my online time is spent on my startup business www.DiscEraser.com and the other is internet shopping (with holidays coming, it's faster and cheaper to find gifts online). I can't imagine life without the internet. Email and connection with far away friends is a snap. Just don't replace your social/family/work life with the internet, time does seem to fly faster in Cyberspace! ~Wade

  • 58 Posted by loengwaeng on Fri Nov 3, 2006 2:42PM EST Report Abuse

    I have to say people take these things to the absolute extreme. I mean being on the internet a lot doesn't mean you addicted it means its your hobby or you like it whats wrong with that. I mean their are people that come home or miss going out with friends just to see a TV program. At least on the internet your either looking something up for information or you socializing with people even though it's thru a virtual medium. Also when did internet gaming become the darkside of the internet. How does it harm anyone for X person to play a video game online.. socialize with people even Real life friends that play the game over lets say going out getting drunk and destorying properity or making a general nussiance of themselves. I think that people that have hobbies that can be enjoyed by many and that don't hurt others are alot better than those that take it on themselves to have hobbies that cause damage to others.

  • 59 Posted by canyonjam on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    I enjoy reading way too much to live in front of a computer night and day. I use 'puters for lots of stuff but I can't handle any long distance reading unless it's print-on-paper. Besides, the heft of a good book has a solid, portable, chocolatey appeal to me that can't be delivered in pixels.

  • 60 Posted by rronin92 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think it comes down to what you enjoy doing. Some people watch TV about 4-5 hours a day. I would rather be online reading/watching the news, working on my website, catching up on bills, chatting, EBAY, or playing a game. And this is after spending 8-9 hours a day at work online. I watch TV a total of about 6-7 hours of TV a week, and estimate my out of work online time at about 20 hours per week. I just find the Internet/computer a better choice of entertainment.

  • 61 Posted by alanapeduzzi on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    Those who are "addicted to the internet" and their loved ones don't need a checklist of signs. Their addiction is most likely apparent to all involved. This article wins the blatently obvious award.

  • 62 Posted by solnon70 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm a recovering alcoholic of 159 days, the last 2 years of my life are a mess of fights unhappiness, alcohol consumsion and hours and hours of EQ and internet surfing, my wife left me to be with a guy she met on the internet, but I tell you, it was harder to leave EverQuest than it was to quit Drinking I started playing eq in 2000 I would play up to 12 hours aday, thanks for letting me share have a nice day =)

  • 63 Posted by rronin92 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think it comes down to what you enjoy doing. Some people watch TV about 4-5 hours a day. I would rather be online reading/watching the news, working on my website, catching up on bills, chatting, EBAY, or playing a game. And this is after spending 8-9 hours a day at work online. I watch TV a total of about 6-7 hours of TV a week, and estimate my out of work online time at about 20 hours per week. I just find the Internet/computer a better choice of entertainment.

  • 64 Posted by solnon70 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm a recovering alcoholic of 159 days, the last 2 years of my life are a mess of fights unhappiness, alcohol consumsion and hours and hours of EQ and internet surfing, my wife left me to be with a guy she met on the internet, but I tell you, it was harder to leave EverQuest than it was to quit Drinking I started playing eq in 2000 I would play up to 12 hours aday, thanks for letting me share have a nice day =)

  • 65 Posted by mrqwert68 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    Very real indeed. Internet addiction is the next big thing in addiction. It is where Alcoholics Anonymous was 15-20 years ago, now it's accepted in everyday life for many. Internet addiction cost me my marriage to a good woman, and the things I missed I can never get back. Be careful everyone!!!

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