Might you be .... an internet addict?

[ElanthianSiren]

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?

(this came from here:
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/hughes/6574)

[CrystalTears]

Sorry, can't answer you right now. I have to head home for a raid. :D

[stallion4]

7 out of 8..that isn't TOO bad..


FUCK!

[Ilvane]

I'm so proud to say that I am not like those things..thank god. Ask me a few years ago, and I would have been.

Angela

[TheEschaton]

Same. I don't have the time to be an addict any more.

[Drew2]

I feel shut off from the world if I don't get on the internet several times a day.

[Miss X]

what Tayre said. I'm ashamed!!

[Sean of the Thread]

I'm not addicted to anything.

[Artha]

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.

I win!

[crazymage]

My name is Bruce and I am an Elanthian Siren addict.

[Apathy]

A man without vice is a man without character.

[Gan]

I'm not addicted to anything.


DENIAL

[Gan]

WR2 being an internet addict.

I'm guilty of it especially as relating to posting/responding here on the PC.

Thats going to change from this point forward.

[Nieninque]

You could change "internet" for any number of different leisure past-times and a lot of the people who said "IM NOT AN INTERNET ADDICT" would fall under 'addictions' of different sorts.

[Asha]

I was definately an 'internet addict'.
I posted here and played GS which were two feats of amazing dedication to doing nothing when I could've beeen out there, not sitting on my ass.
I ignored phonecalls, made excuses to people when I picked up and logged on the moment I come home from work.
I've completely pwned Jenovadeths exp in 3 years.
I decided a good while ago to give up and concentrate on everything I've been neglecting, like friends, family and music ect.
It's hard to let it go at first, like smoking. The rituals ect.
But since then I've used the internet for my own good. Such as Myspace for arranging friends for a night out, keeping in touch and that.
GS sometimes. Very rare since I have so little time.
It really is an addiction, no doubt there. But it's also something that's good and definately can't be ignored.
If using the net as a crutch to occupy myself when there really is nothing else to do or as a means to get together with peeps then I guess I am addicted to it.