Internet Addiction

fathia الخميس نوفمبر 20, 2008 12:50 am

Internet Addiction

By : fathia soliman el-said

Internet Addiction

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What is internet addiction?

This question is not as simple as it appears. The internet has become a part of everyday life for many people, and the term "internet addiction" has gradually become a part of our common vocabulary. However, this term still lacks a clear definition. As we will discuss later, some are trying to define it as a mental disorder while others believe that it is a new tool that fuels previously existing disorders.

Internet Addiction Disorder

Some psychologists use the term "Internet Addiction Disorder" (IAD). This term was coined by Dr. Ivan Goldberg in 1994. He posted a list of the critera for IAD.[1] You can see this list here. If you noticed anything unusual about this list (like maybe the involuntary typing motions!), you are on to something. Goldberg posted this list to poke fun at the idea of internet addiction. However, the concept was picked up on by the media and other mental health professionals. What started as a joke became something quite real (at least to some).

Greenfield claims that compulsive internet use can be classified as addiction because it can produce symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal. [2] Young claims that internet addiction falls into the category of behavior-oriented addiction, " those who get hooked are addicted to what they do and the feelings they experience when they're doing it."

The amount of time kids spend online is a source of frustration for many parents. Initially, parents welcomed the Internet into their homes, believing they were opening up an exciting new world of educational opportunities for their children. However, many parents soon realized that, instead of using the Internet for homework or research, their kids were spending hours instant messaging with friends, playing online games or talking to strangers in chat rooms.

Maintaining a healthy balance between entertainment media and other activities in their children's lives has always been a challenge for parents. The Internet has made this challenge even more difficult. The engaging nature of Internet communications and interactive games means many children and teens have trouble keeping track of time when they're online.

Unfortunately, parents and teachers are usually not aware that there is a problem until it becomes serious. This is because it is easy to hide what you are doing online and because Internet addiction is not widely recognized by the medical community. (Mental health practitioners continue to debate whether this behaviour is an "addiction," with some preferring to identify it as "compulsive behaviour.")

Children and young people can easily become 'hooked' on online activities such as multi-user games, instant messaging, pornography and chat rooms. The most vulnerable children, according to the Computer-Addiction Services at Harvard Medical School, are those who are "lonely and bored or from families where nobody is at home to relate to after school."

Children who are unpopular or shy with peers are often attracted to the opportunities for creating new identities in online communities. Boys, in particular, are frequent users of online role-playing games, where they assume new identities and interact with other players. Although playing these games with thousands of other users may appear to be a social activity, for the introverted child or teen, excessive playing can further isolate them from friends and peers.

Harvard Medical School's Computer-Addiction Services identifies the following symptoms of computer addiction.

Psychological symptoms

Having a sense of well-being or euphoria while at the computer -

Inability to stop the activity -

Craving more and more time at the computer -

Neglecting family and friends -

Feeling empty, depressed and irritable when not at the computer -

Lying to family and friends about activities -

Problems with school or work -

Physical symptoms

Carpal tunnel syndrome -

Dry eyes -

Migraine headaches -

Backaches -

Eating irregularities, such as skipping meals -

Neglecting personal hygiene -

Sleep disturbances and changes in sleep patterns -

Tips for parents

If your kids are spending too much time on the Internet, you need to establish a healthy balance between Internet use and other activities.

Look for symptoms of Internet dependency. Ask yourself if your child's Internet use is affecting his or her school performance, health, and relationships with family and friends.

If your child is demonstrating strong signs of Internet addiction, consider seeking professional counselling. Compulsive Internet use may be symptomatic of other problems such as depression, anger and low self-esteem.

Examine your own online habits. Do you have trouble controlling your Internet use? Remember, you are your child's most important role model.

Don't ban the Internet - it is an important part of most kids' social lives. Instead, establish rules about where your kids can go online and what they can do there - and stick to them. Such rules might include: a limited amount of time online each day; no surfing or instant messaging until they complete their homework. Rules definitely help. In 2005, Media Awareness Network surveyed students in Grades 4 to 11 and found that kids who don't have a rule about how much time they can be on the Internet report 95 per cent more online activity than kids who have a rule in place.

Keep your computer in a public area of your house, not in a child's bedroom.

Encourage and support your child's participation in other activities - particularly physical pastimes with other children.

If your child is shy or socially awkward with peers, consider a social skills class. Encourage activities that will bring your child together with others who have similar interests, such as computer classes or hobby groups.

Investigate software that monitors and restricts Internet use. Although these tools are helpful, keep in mind they can be easily disabled by a savvy computer user. Your ultimate goal should be helping your kids to develop self-control, discipline and accountability with the Internet.

If your child seems interested only in playing online video games, try a tie-in to one of their favourite games. For example, if your child prefers fantasy role-playing, encourage her or him to read fantasy books

are you addicted?
Would you like to use this Test?

How do you know if you're already addicted or rapidly tumbling toward trouble? The Internet Addiction Test is the first validated and reliable measure of addictive use of the Internet. Click here to read the study. Developed by Dr. Kimberly Young, the IAT is a 20-item questionnaire that measures mild, moderate, and severe levels of Internet Addiction.

To assess your level of addiction, answer the following questions using this scale:

1 = Rarely.
2 = Occasionally.
3 = Frequently.
4 = Often.
5 = Always.

1. How often do you find that you stay on-line longer than you intended?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

2. How often do you neglect household chores to spend more time on-line?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

3. How often do you prefer the excitement of the Internet to intimacy with your partner?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

4. How often do you form new relationships with fellow on-line users?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

5. How often do others in your life complain to you about the amount of time you spend on-line?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

6. How often do your grades or school work suffer because of the amount of time you spend on-line?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

7. How often do you check your e-mail before something else that you need to do?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 =Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

8. How often does your job performance or productivity suffer because of the Internet?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

9. How often do you become defensive or secretive when anyone asks you what you do on-line?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

10. How often do you block out disturbing thoughts about your life with soothing thoughts of the Internet?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

11. How often do you find yourself anticipating when you will go on-line again?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

12. How often do you fear that life without the Internet would be boring, empty, and joyless?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

13. How often do you snap, yell, or act annoyed if someone bothers you while you are on-line?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

14. How often do you lose sleep due to late-night log-ins?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

15. How often do you feel preoccupied with the Internet when off-line, or fantasize about being on-line?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

16. How often do you find yourself saying "just a few more minutes" when on-line?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

17. How often do you try to cut down the amount of time you spend on-line and fail?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

18. How often do you try to hide how long you've been on-line?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

19. How often do you choose to spend more time on-line over going out with others?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply

20. How often do you feel depressed, moody, or nervous when you are off-line, which goes away once you are back on-line?
1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always
Does Not Apply[