Internet Addiction

We heard about all kind of addictions but Internet addiction to be a new of its kind in the 21st century. Societies are still working to define the exact definition of this new type of addiction. The addiction is primarily used in a negative sense and in medical terminology, an addiction is a chronic disorder that has genetic, psychosocial, and environmental dimensions. Addiction is often accompanied by the presence of deviant behaviors. But Internet addiction is different than any other addictions as it doesn't cause car accidents, impair judgment or ability to make decisions but that doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous. The addiction is real and it exists and people started to recognize the real side effects. I am sorry to say that one of my friend is having marital issues due to this addiction. The biggest threat is, it steals people's valuable time, which jeopardizes their social relationships and responsibilities. So, what are the signs of Internet addiction?

* Spending unlimited hours online without any break
* Browsing the net without any objective
* Checking email repeatedly for no apparent reason
* Complains from family about the time spent on line
* Logging on while at work or school instead of working or studying.
* Hiding about the activities done online.

With faster broadband access, Internet allows a person to roam from one world to another world in no time making it immensely attractive. Internet is a place where a person can redefine himself with new thoughts, personalities or mood. People who have trouble communicating in real life can have intense discussion online, or can have too many online friends. In fact Internet offers so many capabilities that people don't need to leave their house anymore. If offers everything from chat, shopping, gaming, date, and even sex and it is very easy for any one to get addicted.

Internet addicts are also addicted to online gambling, cyber sex, stalking and bullying. Lately there are also criminal charges brought against couples due to the negligence to their kids because of Internet addiction and this kind of crime is spreading in a very faster pace.

A Stanford university study on 2513 adults found that 13.7 percent of those interviewed found it hard to stay away from the Internet for several days at a time, 12.4 percent stayed online longer than intended, 12.3 percent had seen a need to cut back on Internet use, 8.7 percent attempted to conceal non-essential Internet use from family, friends and employers, 8.2 percent used the Internet as a way to escape problems or relieve negative mood, 5.9 percent felt their relationships suffered as a result of excessive Internet use (http://med.stanford.edu/news_releases/2006/october/internet.html). There are also numerous online calculators available to identify if a person is Internet addicted. Psychiatrists are also offering treatment on this new 21st century addiction.