Can You Live Without The Internet?
The internet dominates our lives about this there is no doubt. We are attached to our e-mail accounts and rely extensively on the internet for all kinds of online research and services, whether it is on health and diet, political news, fashion or food recipes.
In a study published recently in the Journal of Affective Disorders, examined the habits of 20 people who had spent more than 30 nonworking hours a week online for the past three years. The participants described skipping sleep, ignoring family responsibilities, and showing up late for work to fulfill their desire to visit chat rooms and surf the Web. The consequences were severe: Many suffered from marital problems, failed in school or lost a job, and accumulated debt.
The Internet is an amazing tool which can instantly connect you to people and information all over the world, but do you ever find yourself spending lots of time on the net, surfing for information, checking your e-mails, playing video games or watching videos on YouTube?
People have been asked what they thought was the most important item in their daily life: the computer, mobile phone or television. The majority of the readers chose their computers, followed closely by mobile phones.
A huge majority of people log on to the internet several times a day or are constantly online (either at home or in office). In terms of exact hours, the majority stay connected between 1 to 2 hours, either checking e-mails or just browsing the Net. It is evident that income may not anything to do with how much time one spends online.
E-mail usage is ubiquitous for all internet users with all but one per cent choosing it as a priority. Research and information gathering proved to be the second largest driver of internet usage. This was followed closely by news searches.
Also thoughts and ideas through messaging and chat, with some considering it a good way to make new friends. There are, however, concerns over online chat rooms being misused by unscrupulous individuals. Overall, people feel the benefits of chat far outweighed the disadvantages. When it comes to blogging, more than fifty per cent were supportive of blogs once it was explained to them. This proves online users want freedom to access information and communicate without censorship.
A lot of people shop online. Lifestyle was another major area where online purchases included clothes, health and personal goods, jewellery and watches, sports and outdoor shoes, and clothing accessories. Needless to say, women’s purchases outnumbered men’s in this category. Net is also found convenient for planning travels and hotel reservations. The higher their income, the more likely the users are to plan out their holiday on the Net.
On the question of providing personal information online, there was a polarization of opinion. Asked if people were comfortable giving out their credit card information, many said they would not give such information. The level of trust seemed to go up as income levels increased.
Now its your turn to talk, are you hooked to the internet…
you kidding me ?
[…] Are you a victim of Internet addiction […]
I think it really depends on the time is spent. I’m 21 years old. I spend nearly 18 hrs a day on a computer. I work on a computer for 8 hrs at my job, leave my job and get back on the computer at home. I have no Debt. I’m physically in shape, no major debt, and I’m doing fine in school and in my job. Sure I lack the 8hrs of sleep I need, but I’m healthy, clean, and function just fine in everyday life.
I am fully addicted to the internet its also my working place so I got lucky not to lose my job nor to be in debts over it and I am also able to help so many people at onces its great - this dimension enjoy much popularity because the people are tired from brain washed TV repeat show and lies of the conservative media and they feel there is nothing out there but pollution violence and stupidity so they hide away . shame but what else can they do? going out to become spiritual eating organic food and maintain walks in nature with dreamy face and white dressed became so expensive it lost the meaning too so I say : go go internet the best ever addiction I had.
I am one of the addicted users. Every day im on my computer. I have lost almost all my friends & now people make up excuses of why they cant do anything when I call. So im on my computer even more because of this. I have become addicted to pornography lately because I’m on it so much. I have barely even started puberty but yet I am constantly masturbating to ease my guilt/anger. I don’t have any suicidal thoughts but sometimes I get mad at God for this. I have significantly decreased my grades in school because I would rather be on my computer than working. The computer has changed my personality. I used to be a very funny, sports loving, nice guy. But since my addiction, my attitude is different. I talk a lot about Youtube & other websites & it is really annoying to other people. This is the main reason I have lost all my friends, my personality change. Now I have also become rude to other people so that the people that are mean to me will focus on this other person and hurt his feelings. I also am constantly playing video games on my 360, but that is kind of different, all my friends are on their xbox’s a lot too, but not as much as me. It’s really embarrassing when I’m asked what I did over the weekends & all i can say is that i didnt do anything. I’m in the 8th grade & have barely started puberty. I just hope that by highschool everyting will change & i wont be addicted b/c i will get so screwed by not doing my homework & not studying. If anyone can help please do.
Digg username= Zimmbear, but i’ve for some reason been blocked & i think i sent an email to them but i gave them the wrong ip address.
Please help
Say I!
Zimmbear…
Zimmbear… the best way to get rid of the addiction is for you to do something else. Get involve in your community. That is either join a club, team, group… whatever it’s. Try to keep yourself occupied with things that will help you in the future and things that you will enjoy doing. Also remember, the internet is just fill with information… that’s it… nothing else. Some information is good but the rest are useless. So maybe you can schedule yourself to have just about 2 or 3 hours on the computer a day. Decrease the amount slowly. It’s best to divert yourself to others things that you once enjoyed. Don’t take dramatic steps yet… Take one at a time and slowly. It will take a long time to change. Good luck
I feel that I might be addicted as well. My grades have suffered a little (in my opinion) and all I talk about is computer/online-related varia. I spend most of my free time on my laptop. I think this is bad.
Ethel, great post! I was addicted to the internet and then wrote a few hacks to block myself from the distractions while I was working.
I wrote a better app that anyone could use and launched it yesterday. 8aweek is a toolbar that helps you monitor and control the time you spend online. Its the first tool out there to help people deal with internet addiction. I hope it helps some people out.
It be cool if I could browse the old t’internet while sleeping or taking a shower, but up until that day i’ll just have smell like B.O. and be a little sleepy. kthxbye
I am reading this, so yeah, I am addicted to the internet.
@jdnite - If you think that silly blurb was written by a 13 - 14 yr old then you need to listen to a few of them or read their semi-coherent ramblings. And recognize that the web is full of insincere wackjobs.
I wouldn’t know, I’ve never used the internet.
We are wired; we will always be wired from here on out, more so in the future. If you let yourself go its your own fault, not the interwebz.
The inter-what?
this depends on the person, on a average day i my self spend 11 to12 hours on the internet, 79 hours a week and yet have no problem leaving my computer to go out with friends in place of that 12 hours spent at a pc (but i don’t dare leave my phone more than 5 ft away at any time)
If I’m not addicted to the internet, I’m fired. Good ol Silicon Valley. Great post!
Your writing could use some work. There are no hard arguments either pro or con with regards to the question that you’re asking. Also, simply stating facts barely scratches the surface on the TYPE of people that have a so-called “addiction” to the Internet.
The solution (which worked for me) to this kind of addiction is going cold turkey. Don’t kid yourself, you’re not going to have the will power to not log on if you have the option. (I was addicted to MMOs).
Recruit someone in your family to police your behavior. Eventually, your situation, and mind will change that you’ll probably be able to handle small amounts of time online.
If you absolutely have to use the internet, do so in a place that closes at a set time and will kick you out.
I am addicted to the internet. Without sounding melodramatic, I am posting this because I want others to know. I’m in my mid 20’s, physically healthy, self employed as a photographer. I have a beautiful girlfriend and I live in an area of town where I should be out every night and every day. I’m ashamed to say how much time I spend online. I spent all day (ALL DAY) online today. Yesterday too. Friday and Saturday night. This is not untypical. It’s become a serious problem. I miss sleep, ignore relationships, ignore my health (think it’s healthy sitting indoors all day?), ignore my career. What for? Video games. Digg. BBC news. Porn. Random infotainment. There is so much info out there. It becomes so easy to get caught up in it. Now, I’m not blaming anyone but myself. This probably points to an underlying internal problem but isn’t that true of alcoholism, drug abuse and most other vices? I’ve struggled with and given up other addictions in the past so I know that I have an addictive personality type. I was thinking earlier, I should have the wireless key changed to something I don’t know. Force myself to change. I’m starting to ramble. Best of luck to all who want to make positive changes in their lives. I keep telling myself, when you’re 85 and dying, do you want look back on your life and see a computer screen?
Yeah I spend 11 or 12 hours a day on the Internet, and I’m fine. No problem. I’m not addicted. I can quit anytime I want. I just don’t want to right now… I …
MKE, I wish you well as you address your addiction. Like you, I was lonely as a teenager and often turned to pornography. I only recently realized the devastating effects of using it to relieve sexual tension and hope you will limit your time on the web. I’m certain that trying to uncover and resolve whatever issues initially lead you to spend so much time on the web will help. Also, pursue (and, more importantly, cultivate) offline relationships. TRUST ME, a hug from a loving friend/partner is better than any web post. There’s a great free program called AlfaClock that allows you to set alarms for yourself, and is quite useful for anyone who wants to curtail their web use or simply set a alarm regarding an important date. You can find it at the site listed above. I’d also recommend setting aside 5-10 minutes daily for meditation, and (surprise) watching more TV! The Science channel is also addictive, but a lot less harmful. I also recommend Family Guy.
LONG LIVE DIGG!
One day I will go outside,I swear!
[…] severe: Many suffered from marital problems, failed in school or lost a job, and accumulated debt. read more | digg […]
I can’t live without internet. I have both DSL and a Cable Modem, and by my foot is a Ethernet pass-thru. Whenever service goes down, I just reach down and swap the feed to the pass-thru.
That’s how badly I need it.
Hi, my name is Andy, and I’m a weboholic. *sits back down*
No, seriously, I spend way too much time on the computer in general. At least 4 hours a day. Thanks to school I can limit myself to no more than 6 or 7 on school days.
Having said that, I never choose computers over going out with friends, I go clubbing on weekends, have friends and a girlfriend.
Internet and my computer are just my favorite hobbies…even if obsessive at times
@ subgeniusd- I honestly am 14, have lost almost all friends, and I posted this not to be funny, but too seek help.
For sure, internet could be a dangerous addiction, but its like anything else.
People get addicted to wonderful things just by giving them all their time, gadgets or tv, alcohol, drugs, work, sports,… even sex.
Its part of humane nature, we are all “homo adictus”, we use to abuse from any situation that reports us pleasure and happiness in any sense. And thats because faults in our lives: afection, money, success, love,…
The more intelligent we are the more easy we’ll get frustrated and the more weird our addiction will be. People gets superspecialized in comics, games, news, tech, just for putting all their time there… I have friends that have got incredible scores in mmporgs, something unable for the most of us. That means they have a lot of skills in organization, calculation, abstract thinking, economics, … but all of these efforts were (actually they are) made in the wrong direction, they are just missing their time just because they need feeling theirselves successful and forget their real problems at the same time.
The problem is not internet itself but the rest of our lives, because of the way our modern society works, and its system set of values. Its too hard be a perfect lover, student, bussinessman, … and its too easy get frustrated in many ways all the time.
PD: excuse my poor english and good look
Yes, I am on the internet for 90% of my day I wouldnt say I am addicted. So its more about what you spend time doing on the internet. I spend alot of my time reading news, learning new skills such as online books and tutorials etc I do have my online leisure activities such as comics, games & talk to my overseas friends.
If you are constantly refreshing your [insert online profile site eg myspace] page to see if someone has added you as a friend etc etc . THEN YOU HAVE AN BAD ADDICTION.
The internet has come to a point where its crucial to everyday life of people. My job would not exist without it! Web Designer.
I agree completely with your post. I think this is an issue the media has missed over more “controversial” problems such as gaming addiction and porn addiction.
Internet addiction is real and it’s becoming increasingly clear of it’s enormous effect on high schoolers and college students. With information coming at us at increasing rates through constantly updating online sources, RSS feeds, and specialized online communities.
it is even easier to become addicted when your work at home with your computer. In the morning, instead of going directly to my computer, i go for a walk and a coffee. In the evening, it’s 6 oclock, i’m gone, even if i could stay 6 hours more… So i think it is really a question of discipline.
I used to be a homeless rodeo clown but now I am a world class magician !
Even if it’s a rhetorical question am gonna answer it anyway
“I can’t live without internet as much as I can’t live without sex”
Funny, my fiancee just told me today that I need to get into a group like AA, but for the Internets. I told her I already was in Anonymous.
Also, dugg.
[…] severe: Many suffered from marital problems, failed in school or lost a job, and accumulated debt. read more | digg […]
Are You A Victim Of Internet Addiction? | Deliggit.com…
Internet addiction has led to skipping sleep, ignoring family responsibilities, and…
I am too addictedto the internet. I have so many things I need to get done all the time but I always find a way to park myself in front of the pc, put on some tunes and smoke some cigarettes while surfing the http://WWW. I love it, but I know I’m going to end up in a real mess, (albeit a mess with a fountain of knowledge and understanding about all things)
I LOVE JOB BUT INTERNET GET IN THE WAY AND I LOSE IT >:O
I AM SMART PERSON INTERNET KILL ME NOW I DONT DO ANYTHING BUT EAT BISKUTS AND PLAY TIBERIUM WARS ON EASY.
HALP!
Hi, my name is Zach, Im a internetoholic
I spend at least 5+ hours a day on the internet, but Im fine as hell. I’m skinny, i have no problem leaving the computer at all. If anything, I’ll leave the computer to just go hang out with the friends at the mall,loop,etc.People who spend 10 + hours a day, and lost all their friends because of the computer, as messed up retards. I mean seriously, its a material, GET OVER IT! Its not that hard to leave it, just go pick up a book or go outside and do a sport. I mean for god sakes, porn, that will only give you pleasure to a extent of soo much. So please, get a life
Digg.com sent me HERE?!?!? This blog blows ass-nuggets. This article is ridiculous and so is that Korean Lady’s mustache above. Shit man. I hate the internetz sometimes. Well, I’m late for work. Cya.
im 22, spend 8 hrs a day at work on a pc and then at home…im fine I see nothing wrong with it..if people go out to play sports all afternoon then they are addicted to sports…if people go out and shop and talk with people then they addicted to shopping and talking to people..People get attached to things..its human nature this article is retarded.
Oh my GOD! You bunch of whiners! Just get outside every once in a while, go to a club, go and watch a movie, go for a damn walk… Don’t complain that the internet has ruined you, the internet is AMAZING!
[…] read more | digg story […]
[…] Can You Live Without the Internet? I most definitely cannot. […]
Check out “The Psychology of the Internet” by Patricia Wallace. It’s an interesting look at Internet addiction written prior to the explosion of MMORPGs, online gambling, and the like.
“In terms of exact hours, the majority stay connected between 1 to 2 hours, either checking e-mails or just browsing the Net.”
Who are these Neanderthals and which rock have they been living under?
[…] In a study published recently in the Journal of Affective Disorders, examined the habits of 20 people who had spent more than 30 nonworking hours a week online for the past three years. The participants described skipping sleep, ignoring family responsibilities, and showing up late for work to fulfill their desire to visit chat rooms and surf the Web. The consequences were severe: Many suffered from marital problems, failed in school or lost a job, and accumulated debt. Link […]
I am addicted to information. If that comes on the internet, so be it.
Of course, can’t live without it. Maybe if something can make me enjoy and busy playing with it, I can.
I am 25, run my own business, didn’t bother going to school, I have no debt and doing perfectly fine financially. I spend a lot of time on the net, and communicate a lot via the Internet with colleagues, friends and family everyday.
It’s more of a godsend than an addiction as it has improved my life more than anything else, opening a lot of opportunities in our ever more restrictive real world.
This is quite the opposite from the study you have posted.
Quite addicted I’d say. OCD symptoms, panic attacks and most PTSD symptoms including multisensory hyperacusis. Pretty much the works. It’s been a disabling illness for me, for the past 2 years now. It really sucks.
You’re not addicted to the internet. Let’s be more specific. Are you addicted to porn, or online gambling, or gaming, etc.?
The internet just makes it easier for you to get your fix.
Moving back 50 years before you have the internet. If the cars or the buses makes it soooo convenient for you to go to the casino, are you addicted to the transportation or to gambling..
And occasionally better than the real world.
1-2hours??!! I’m thinking more like 10-20!!
gawd i need to get a life…
Halo 3 launched September 25th of 2007. Since it’s release, I have played over 2000 games. A rough estimate of an average game length would be about 8 minutes. Not including time between games and time playing campaign or reviewing videos(which adds up), I have played about:
266 hours
or
11 + days
of halo in the past 146 days.
That is 13.3 % of my time since the release.
Addicted? Sure.
Do I regret a second of it? Not a chance.
Why? because i know how to maintain an appropriate balance between health, relationships, family, and pleasure. I have a full time job making around 50 k / year, I am 23.
I simply want to interject that it is possible to be a functioning internet addict. Plus all the good sites are blocked at work.
[…] По мотивам Can You Live Without The Internet? […]
i dont regret i am addicted to internet!!! this is my outlet for me to move on.. making friends , talk with other people ..
sometimes have a relationship with them and i know it is impossible but i take chances…
[…] since he has been a harbinger of global trends for 20 years now, and regularly takes time off to disconnect and reset his priorities. Maybe we should take a leaf out of his […]