Spending endless hours on the Internet chatting to friends, exploring Web pages and neglecting life’s obligations may be warning signs of Internet addiction.
With the rapid growth of the Internet in recent years, researchers are discovering Internet abuse may affect the quality of people’s lives.
Dr. Kimberly S. Young, executive director for the Center for OnLine Addiction, has conducted Internet addiction research since 1994. Young said Internet addiction is increasing as more people are going online.
“I have done a variety of research – from the clinical applications that first identified the symptoms, risk factors and treatment strategies associated with the disorder, to ways corporations deal with employee Internet abuse,” she said.
Young said the addiction can lead to divorce, job loss, depression, anxiety and academic failure.
In an article, she claims the free and unlimited Internet use on college campuses has caused many students to become addicted to their computers.
Most Internet researchers agree online addiction is a new epidemic and it has the potential to affect those who abuse the Internet.
According to an article written by David Greenfield, founder and CEO of The Center for Internet Studies and Psychological Health Associates, the Internet may cause abusive and compulsive behavior for some individuals.
“Studies suggest that the Internet may have psychological properties that are capable of altering mood and behavior, often with little or no awareness,” Greenfield said.
He devised a series of red flags to help users realize when, and if, they are addicted to the Internet.
The first is getting carried away with the Internet – spending more time online to achieve satisfaction, being unsuccessful in cutting back usage, using the Internet to escape problems, committing illegal acts online and jeopardizing relationships, jobs or even educational careers.
Danielle Arnold, a freshman in business administration, said she’s on the Internet over five hours a day. She said she gets online to talk to people, play games, check her e-mail and do homework.
“Yeah, I am addicted,” she said. “I would go nuts without it. I go on because I’m bored and it’s convenient.”
She said Internet addiction can result in the loss of social skills and can cause people to become lazy.
Daniel Thomas, a senior in political science, said his computer is connected to the Internet 24 hours a day, but his usage is mainly school-related.
Thomas said he is not addicted to the Internet, but knows people who are very engaged in talking on AOL Instant Messenger.
“I would say it’s getting bad if everywhere you go you need to be online,” he said. “If you’re at work and you sign on, or typing in the computer lab and talking on Instant Messenger, I would say it’s getting bad.”
Thomas also sees the Internet as a positive communication tool and said if some people don’t have a good cell phone plan, computers offer good way for them to communicate with friends.
Thomas said the best thing for Internet addicts to do is simply turn off the computer or limit their time online.
Greenfield’s solution to Internet addiction is to turn off the computer, find other interests, exercise, try counseling, develop new relationships and shorten Internet usage.
