Do you believe in internet addiction? (Poll - private)

[smjpl]

This discussion has come up before but there are no active threads to talk about it so I decided to start this one.

 

Some of us may believe it is very real, some of us may not but I believe this is an important topic either way. 

 

We have recently lost some old school members who were very active, some who have said they need to leave because they are simply loosing too much time to the forum (loosing track of time). This I believe is the evidence for internet addiction. There is a major difference between working long hours on the internet and being dependent to the internet (but this applies to all addictive habits/activities). The key difference is control. When you start to lose control over how much time you sink into it something, then it becomes an addiction. (This old thread gives some insight into many people thoughts on this but I was surprised by the amount of people who didn't seem to see the difference).

 

This topic (although they focused on social networks sites) was on local Irish news the other day and I was glad to see this getting some attention. While there are no groundbreaking facts in here, the real breakthrough is in that this is getting more public awareness.

 

The interesting points were:

 

 

According to the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), increasing numbers of people are losing control of the amount of time that they spend online.

 

“Being connected to friends and business associates has clear benefits, but many people, especially young people, find the desire to use Facebook or Twitter (or linustechtips) so strong that it’s affecting their personal relationships, their studies and often their jobs,” said Shane Kelly, professional services manager with the IACP.

 

“Many people find it impossible to put down their mobile even when having a meal with friends, attending a meeting or while out on a first date.”

The IACP warned that due to the easy access of the internet via mobile devices that social media and internet addiction can be very difficult to control, especially as it seems like a far less harmful pursuit than using drugs or nicotine.

 

However, the association added that internet addiction is time-consuming and can lead to empty lives as meaningful interactions are replaced by superficial interactions.

 

Mr Kelly added: “Studies have shown that people with high usage of social media sites may have lower levels of self-esteem and have a higher incidence of depression.”

 

source

 

So what are everyone's thoughts on this?

 

[jezza39]

You can get addicted to anything really, i.e. OCD

[Toddwjp]

i believe it is possible to be addicted to anything, if you use something alot and suffer from withdrawal symptoms then you by definition are addicted.

[Admiaczking]

Ever since I got a girlfriend I have spent 100% of my time on the internet talking to her

[Johannes_Lazor]

Anything that can be done regulary and gives some kind of reward can become addictive.

[murratri]

Only use the Internet when not doing something, so a lot of the time

[nanowatt]

Anything can become an addiction and too much of it will make you suffer

[Vacsol]

people with addictive personalities can be addicted to anything. it's not just down to having a lack of self-control.

 

I was playing Minecraft for 10-12 hours per day for about 2 years. I would get anxious when not playing the game, Occasionally getting so paranoid about losing my stuff in the game that I would feel stomach sick.

 

addiction is weird.

[murratri]

Ever since I got a girlfriend I have spent 100% of my time on the internet talking to her

same

[DigitalHermit]

Internet addiction is real form my observations (and some experience)...

 

I'm only online most of the time due to schoolwork and the forums is a good way to catch a break...

 

When it comes to IRL relationships, I tend to keep my online and offline life completely separate...

[PC-NOOB]

I feel addicted. I can't stop going to the LTT forum even while studying. D:

[Johannes_Lazor]

Ever since I got a girlfriend I have spent 100% of my time on the internet talking to her

Now 99,99% since you said something to us.

[bchampion96]

You can get addicted to anything really, i.e. OCD

 

Urm, do you have any Idea what OCD is?

[ManWithBeard1990]

I have very low self esteem and don't use social media a lot... unless LTT forums count of course.

 

That being said an internet addiction can only be an addiction if you have the time to let it become an addiction. And I don't see how talking to someone over the internet is more superficial than normal conversation. I for one am more comfortable telling stuff to close friends when I have the time to think about how I'm going to say stuff and when they're not in the same room. It takes barriers away, I find.

[smjpl]

You can get addicted to anything really, i.e. OCD

 

 

i believe it is possible to be addicted to anything, if you use something alot and suffer from withdrawal symptoms then you by definition are addicted.

 

 

Ever since I got a girlfriend I have spent 100% of my time on the internet talking to her

 

 

Anything that can be done regulary and gives some kind of reward can become addictive.

 

 

Only use the Internet when not doing something, so a lot of the time

 

 

Anything can become an addiction and too much of it will make you suffer

 

 

people with addictive personalities can be addicted to anything. it's not just down to having a lack of self-control.

 

I was playing Minecraft for 10-12 hours per day for about 2 years. I would get anxious when not playing the game, Occasionally getting so paranoid about losing my stuff in the game that I would feel stomach sick.

 

addiction is weird.

 

 

Do you think it is an issue that should be addressed? (probably should have asked this too. whoops)

[Admiaczking]

Now 99,99% since you said something to us.

She was typing as I wrote that, and this too

[Bogica]

Oh cmon, I call bullshit. Do you believe in car addiction? The Internet is a tool that we use, just like we use a car and many other things. The fact that the Internet has so many functions and possibilities is why we spend so much time on it.
Let's be realistic for a moment, all of this can be done online:
-Read the latest news (read the paper)

-watch videos

-play games

-work

-watch tv online

-education

and so much more.
Before we would sit and read the news on paper, watch TV instead of streaming it, play our gameboy/sega/sony/xbox and so much more.
Now we have all of that united online, so instead of spending time individually on those tasks we have them on a single device  that is connected to the internet and provides that content to us so we spend so much time online.

[murratri]

Do you think it is an issue that should be addressed?

Maybe private addiction institutions but not public funded ones the issue doesn't affect enough people nor harms enough to justify the expense to the tax payer.

[jezza39]

Urm, do you have any Idea what OCD is?

 

It means you obsess over things, which sort of translates it's a type of addiction. I.e. addicted to washing your hands. I'm trying to point out that you can obsess over anything, you can be addicted to anything, they're similar.

[nanowatt]

I have very low self esteem and don't use social media a lot... unless LTT forums count of course.

 

That being said an internet addiction can only be an addiction if you have the time to let it become an addiction. And I don't see how talking to someone over the internet is more superficial than normal conversation. I for one am more comfortable telling stuff to close friends when I have the time to think about how I'm going to say stuff and when they're not in the same room. It takes barriers away, I find.

See this is the problem.One say internet will replace face to face communication totally and the problem is that when you want to go face to face you lose yourself or insecurity will kick in and you will behave like a monkey.Had this problem and for more that 4 years i am grateful for my gf that keep me away from this addiction and because of her i started knowing what real fun it and how to behave myself in public and clubs

[Vacsol]

Do you think it is an issue that should be addressed? (probably should have asked this too. whoops)

I think it's up to the individual. if someone's family or friends think it's becoming an issue, then they should try to help by addressing the issue in a non-confrontational way.

[bchampion96]

It means you obsess over things, it's a type of addiction. I.e. addicted to washing your hands.

 

Wrong. It's an anxiety thing where you have intrusive thoughts that cause you to obsessively perform some kind of action. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive%E2%80%93compulsive_disorder Please inform yourself before you spread more misinformation

[Bogica]

Most of you are talking about social anxiety which has nothing to do with the internet. I mean it is caused by spending so much time isolated from outsiders, low self esteem and poor social skills, but it can be caused by many factors, not a single one (the internet). Gaming addiction is something else entirely though, which can be the cause of this.

[nanowatt]

Oh cmon, I call bullshit. Do you believe in car addiction? The Internet is a tool that we use, just like we use a car and many other things. The fact that the Internet has so many functions and possibilities is why we spend so much time on it.

Let's be realistic for a moment, all of this can be done online:

-Read the latest news (read the paper)

-watch videos

-play games

-work

-watch tv online

-education

and so much more.

Before we would sit and read the news on paper, watch TV instead of streaming it, play our gameboy/sega/sony/xbox and so much more.

Now we have all of that united online, so instead of spending time individually on those tasks we have them on a single device  that is connected to the internet and provides that content to us so we spend so much time online.

Cellphones should be just a tool and yet they make us spend so much time using them.Yes the internet is useful but slowly iis going to became an addition that will take over most of people.

[Vacsol]

It means you obsess over things, which sort of translates it's a type of addiction. I.e. addicted to washing your hands. I'm trying to point out that you can obsess over anything, you can be addicted to anything, they're similar.

it's Obsessive COMPULSIVE Disorder. it has to do with repetitive, uncontrollable thoughts, compulsions, and behaviors

 

don't throw around medical terms you don't know anything about.

it's a lot more than just an addictive personality.