internet addiction definition

Dear friends,
I wanted to share this information with you as it is from our area.
The effect of gender, unemployment, and educational level in internet addiction.

Dr. Faiq Shaban and Walid Shunaigat. Psychiatrist from Jordan
Pan Arab Medical Journal p:29-31. second issue

Background: In early 90s first indications for computer and later for
internet addiction were described. Whether this exists or not remains
controversial. The definition of the term addiction moved from the fact that
people should have ingested drugs etc, beyond that to include a number of
behaviors, such as compulsive gambling, video game playing, overeating,
exercise, love relationships and television viewing.

Objective of the study: To investigate existence of internet addiction among
internet users in Jordanian internet cafes.

Method: A simple ratio method was used to investigate addiction in the
population. 300 males, 300 females were selected randomly and interviewed.

Questionnaire with 20 statements was developed to measure internet addiction.

Results: Addiction was significantly higher in males than females, in
unemployed than in employed and finally in people with lower education than in
higher education people. The worst category to be endangered to get addictive
were unemployed males in secondary level when compared to males and females
whether employed or not.

Of course, it remains unclear whether internet is addictive or not. By the
way, in their article the authors did not define addiction. You can read the
full article on the net.

http://e-pamj.com/MagazienContentMain.shtm
Omar
http://forum.el-shella.com