Internet Addiction: A Growing Disorder

February 25, 2010  
Filed under News

In today’s day in age people use the internet for just about everything. People use it to research, play games, and communicate. The internet has become a priority in every household. However, it is now being questioned that being online is a deadly obsession.

People around the world are spending more and more time on the internet. This makes time spent with family or participating in recreational activities decrease significantly. In Asia, people literally spend all day on the computer. Places like China and Japan have some of the fastest internet systems in the world. There are internet cafes where teens can go to after school and stay at past midnight.

In that Eastern hemisphere continent, parents and doctors are getting seriously worried about their children’s health and computer addiction problems. There have been camps set up that kids who have internet addictions go to. In these camps, there is minimal to no time for technological use. The kids participate in music classes, outdoor activities and many other things to get them connected to the real world instead of the cyber one they live in.

Natalie Milnikoff, sophomore, said that she thinks these camps will not help in the long run. The kids addicted to the internet will just go back to their old ways.

Internet Addiction has not been diagnosed in as many people in the U.S. as it has been in Asia. However, it is still a growing problem and enough to cause concern. Although there are no camps here, there are a few clinics where people can go to help get rid of their addiction.  One clinic is the Center for Internet Addiction Recovery where you can receive help for your problem.

“I think that if you use the internet too much you won’t have much of a social life,” Milnikoff said.

Some side effects include loss of relationships, lack of sleep, a drop in school grades, depression, dishonesty and neglecting other activities you enjoy. All of these symptoms combined do not do anything good for your health and can lead you on a deadly path.

Do you have Internet Addiction Disorder?

1. Do you feel preoccupied with the Internet (think about previous online activity or anticipate next online session)?
2. Do you feel the need to use the Internet with increasing amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction?
3. Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop Internet use?
4. Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet use?
5. Do you stay online longer than originally intended?
6. Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of significant relationships, jobs, educational or career opportunities because of the Internet?
7. Have you lied to family members, therapist or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet?
8. Do you use the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)?

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Kali Hinman

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