Concern about excessive Internet use -- variously termed problematic Internet use, Internet addiction, pathological Internet use, compulsive Internet use and computer addiction in some quarters, and vigorously dismissed as a fad illness in others -- isn't new. As far back as 1995, articles in medical journals and the establishment of a Pennsylvania treatment center for overusers generated interest in the subject. There's still no consensus on how much time online constitutes too much or whether addiction is possible.
But as reliance on the Web grows -- Internet users average about 3 1/2 hours online each day, according to a 2005 survey by Stanford University researchers -- there are signs that the question is getting more serious attention: Last month, a study published in CNS Spectrums, an international neuropsychiatric medicine journal, claimed to be the first large-scale look at excessive Internet use. The American Psychiatric Association may consider listing Internet addiction in the next edition of its diagnostic manual. And scores of online discussion boards have popped up on which people discuss negative experiences tied to too much time on the Web.
It's really hard for me to determine if I have a Web addiction or not. Prolonged, heavy Web use is my livelihood, after all. I am financially and professionally dependent on my interactions and contributions to cyberspace -- but I'll definitely come home after a ten-hour day and eat a sandwich with one hand while clicking through YouTube with the other. What about you guys?
You wouldn't be here in J-Land, reading my blog and writing one of your own if youdidn't a derive a sense of pleasureand well-being from being behind a computer. For many of you, your primary creative outlets and social interactions have occurred online -- or your online lives have positively influenced your real lives.
I'm not asking you all to out yourselves as Internet addicts, but I'm positive that there's more than one of you reading this. Instead, tell me this: how do you establish limits? What do you do to insure that you participate in real life, and where do you draw your lines?
15 comments:
I... umm... I can stop anytime, man. What is this? A freakin' intervention?
Actually, I'm usually chained to my laptop since the bulk of my time these days is spent writing. But, I really don't spend a lot of time on the internet unless I'm reading or writing email or looking up something on The Google or spending a few minutes posting some nonsense on my journal.
So, the short answer is that I spend gobs of time on my computer, but actually not a lot online.
-Dan
http://journals.aol.com/dpoem/TheWisdomofaDistractedMind/
I DO consider myself addicted. The good news is, I am at the computer much less than I used to be. At one time, I spent a big part of my day in an AOL chat room. I'm getting back to watching TV these days, something I had almost totally given up for four or five years. Chat room time is limited to an hour in the morning, tops, not because I placed limits on myself but because it just isn't important any more.
I once told my husband, "All I'm doing online is reading; if I spent my day reading novels, would I have "fiction addiction"?
Also, difference between web addiction & computer addiction. I think almost everyone is on computers much more than this. The Web is just one service we may use among many.
The internet is a friendly tool and probably keeps people away from the pub. I personally do not consider addictions as illnesses. So, for me there is no illnesses. I believe that those who let themselves die with the vidoe games are probably much more in danger of letting themselves slip totally in a virtual world. others who are making a living using the internet have no choice but keeping in tune with development; it does not mean they would be addicted because out of their working hours they wish to also use the internet recreatively. I guess when one is unemployed this is a safe and inexpensive ways of passing time and researching topics of interests. Blogging allows interactions with others so one does not feel that lonely. I find the internet more entertaining than TV, and I think perhaps the attraction for the internet is similar to when TVs appeared. Some will play with it for hours then will get away for some time, will make some virtual friends then it might even help them to want new friends in real life. This is positive. I think students in any disciplines are in fact more in danger for they are forced to use it constantly whether they want it or not. Also, the Medical people are funny for they have put in place CBT treatments for their patients on the net! they don't know what they want. I guess it becomes a real competition for psychotherapists; I don't think it can replace totally the real encounters. Whne I am excited by something in my life, I know I am not addicted. I don't think I am at all. I just indulge myself but if tomorrow I get a job well paid, it will be forgotten straight away. A passing time, an ill ess only for those who are loosing patients and have to create a new illness... as usual, a new one for the DSM...
Valerie
I think sanity motivates my Internet addiction...One, I have available to me a diverse knowledge source to discover and learn whatever gets my goat and two, I know more about what's going on all around the world than the Sunday newspaper ever could and three, I have a real emotional connection to the people that I communicate with regularly. I think its ignorant to dismiss all of that because one utilizes the computer. The Internet is also a good first step for people who have no social life. Its far better to be in a chat room or be an active blogger and meet others online than to sit alone every night and talk to no-one. And, if you do have an active social life, where else in the world can you talk and meet people from all around the world but the Internet? Its a place that is soiled with diversity, knowledge and countless interests. I think its important to spend time on the Internet just as its important to have relationships away from it. If someone is depressed, ashamed, needs to talk, the Internet is a safe place to disclose without any backlash from friends or family members as well. I do believe too much of almost anything can become unhealthy. The balance is to keep connected to the quality and quantity of happiness you possess daily and how it impacts those around you. If your walking with an awareness map and staying in touch with those considerations than the Internet is an all around plus experience. -Raven
I am an addict.
Hello... My name is Astaryth... And I am an Internet Junkie.... <ROFL> Hmmm... my boyfriend might agree on occasion, and I have gone to extra lengths to be able to connect and feed my 'addiction', but frankly what is the difference in sitting in front of the TV for 4 or so hours in the evening or using those same hours to play on the Internet?
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind
http://adventuresofaneclecticmind.blogspot.com/
From August of last year:
http://journals.aol.ca/plittle/AuroraWalkingVacation/entries/1540
-Paul
I think its weird but my body tells me when I have to take a break. I just get too tired to compose a thought in my mind! To be blunt my butt starts to hurt and my joints start to get stiff and my stomach growling tells me that I better eat!
Now I do have my moments when I'm presented with a puzzling puzzle - something that turns into a problem that I want to solve or an answer to a question that has been bugging me. While a good portion of my work involves researching online I just can't do it no more than 6 hours at a time (and remain sane).
Plus there's always the added excitement you get when you discover something new - like when I first discovered the chats! That kept me online for many an hour! But I will say that I seem to be more computer crazy than most of the people that I know.
Rose
http://journals.aol.com/roseb44170/RosesJournal
Ummm... could you please define 'excessive'?
http://journals.aol.com/dornbrau/DUSTBUNNYCLUBOFNORTHAMERICA/entries/2006/11/16/just-another-.com-day/1827
When I finally give up on this one, I'll be on my third cheapo keyboard this year.
When my brain obsolutely refuses to let me concentrate for one more minute while I tweak that sentence in the third paragraph of tonight's entry, I go offline. Usually. I have no discipline about this stuff at all.
Karen
http://outmavarin.blogspot.com
h
Well, I am a teacher, so every morning I'm walking out the door at 6:30 a.m. to get to school, and I don't get home until 5:30 or later p.m... I participate very intensely in each day of my life. What I do when I come home is my choice. Of all the addictions available to me (of which I don't pursue), I find this one (internet use) the least harmless and most productive. There is much worse I could be doing in my life... my limits are established by my work time, family time, and church activities. bea
http://beta.journals.aol.com/bgilmore725/Wanderer/
You know,my room-mate and I were talking about this same subjuct the other day with her daughter,her daughter is the one who bought me this computer for a xmas gift 2 yrs.ago. I started playing with aim.com I have begun writing my own journals.,I can spend the same amount of time she spends watching the boobtube and have the same amount of fun,infact I think I have the most fun.It's gotten to the point to now I have to watch my time or shes going to turn this off and I would really be upset.I've really shared some nice chats with some others and never would have experienced speaking with someone I never ment before without this toy box of mine.I think the main point Im trying to make on this topic of "How much time is too much time",as long as it doesn't interfere with your private life you should be ok,now to be honest,I know I can get on the internet at 1o'clock and stay on for another 6 hrs.and not even know that much time has gone by,so I have to really watch my time or I know the fight is on.I can't understand something though?If Im sitting on the couch watching the tube for those 6 hrs.not more then maybe 5 sentences between us has been shared,so what is the big problem when Im only 5 feet away within sight,the same 5 sentences could be shared,right???Winkatya(tonee)
Post a Comment