Mr. XYZ spends more time on the internet than with his friends / wife. It is because:
You don’t need to be a Jamal Malik to answer the above question right.
Probably a decade ago, there were a considerably lesser number of people with access to computers and internet. I remember going to the internet cafe for the first time in my life only as late as 2001. At that time I was a college going student, nearing completion of my UG course. Today kids even in their KGs have access to computers. The booming economy in the past few years, improving lifestyle of the middle class, and increased awareness about computers and their ease of use have all contributed to this. Corporates, governments and the “aam janta†have started realising and using computers and internet to the maximum potential.
However, there is always another side to the coin. Overuse of and over-dependence on the web has always been on the rise. It has several negative effects and complications too. I have tried to collect and collate information from several sources regarding this and put them in a concise and legible manner in this article.
What do we need the net for?
Generally speaking, we use computers/internet for one of the following broad purposes:
Although I haven’t followed any particular order, the list above might hold true with regard to the priority with which people use internet for.
What are the signs of getting addicted?
As long as we restrict ourselves to being online for the required time alone, the net can be the biggest boon that science has provided us thus far. But most of us stay online far more than we actually need to. It starts in an innocent way when we want to just prolong our browsing for a few minutes, but gradually acquires very large proportions, without our realizing it. That is when we become addicted.
I don’t want to bore you people about the scientific part of addiction, but generally some “substance†or “habit†is called addictive when you cannot part with it; when it causes problems on withdrawal; and when you gradually start to develop a tolerance to it. Incidentally, overuse of internet is known to cause all of these.
Mr.XYZ would be so engrossed and interested in the worldwide web that he would start neglecting his basic needs and drives. He would lose his sense of time. How many times has this happened to you?
If due to some reason, Mr.XYZ is not able to go online, he would start feeling bored, irritated and sometimes depressed too. What started as a 1 hr or 2 hrs habit, would gradually become increased to such an extent that sometimes he would sit in front of the computer for even 8 to 10 hrs at a stretch. Social life takes a bad hit. Interaction with spouse or children would become lesser and lesser.
Various psychologists and professionals have made extensive studies on the effect of internet on a person’s lifestyle. Some of the symptoms which according to these experts indicate an addiction to the internet are as follows:
1. Preoccupation with the Internet: The user often thinks about the internet while he or she is offline.
2. Loss of control: Addicted users feel unable or unwilling to get up from the computer and walk away. They sit down to check e-mail or look up a bit of information, and end up staying online for hours.
3. Inexplicable sadness or moodiness when not online: Dependency on any substance often causes mood-altering side effects when the addicted user is separated from the substance on which he or she depends.
4. Distraction (Using the Internet as an anti-depressant): One common symptom of many Internet addicts is the compulsion to cheer one's self up by surfing the Web.
5. Dishonesty in regard to Internet use: Addicts may end up lying to employers or family members about the amount of time they spend online, or find other ways to conceal the depth of their involvement with the Internet.
6. Loss of boundaries or inhibitions: While this often pertains to romantic or sexual boundaries, such as sharing sexual fantasies online or participating in cyber sex, inhibitions can also be financial or social. Online gambling sites can cause addicts to blow more money than they would in a real-life casino because users never actually see their money won or lost, so it is easier to believe the money is not real. Chat rooms can incite users to reveal secrets they would not reveal in face-to-face or phone conversations because of the same separation from reality. Also, addicted users are much more likely to commit crimes while online (e.g., 'hacking') than non-addicts.
7. Creation of virtual intimate relationships with other Internet users: Web-based relationships often cause those involved to spend excessive amounts of time online, attempting to make connections and date around the Net.
8. Loss of a significant relationship due to Internet use: When users spend too much time on the Web, they often neglect their personal relationships. Over time, such relationships may fail as partners simply refuse to be treated badly and break off from relations with the addicted individual.
The above has been quoted from an article on internet addiction available at Mental Health, Depression, Anxiety, Wellness, Family & Relationship Issues, Sexual Disorders & ADHD Medications
Did you think “yes, this applies to me as well†when reading any of the above symptoms? How many of them have you experienced?
What are the negative effects due to such an addiction?
Invariably Mr.XYZ would start experiencing the negative effects of his habits after some time. He would be almost always tired and sleepy due long hours in front of the computer. His health would take a back-seat; his diet habits would change; and all this would lead to a change in lifestyle – more sedentary and lazy way of living – in turn, these would lead to increased incidences of chronic illnesses like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, etc.
The user would also end up messing his personal and social life. Hanging around with friends, going out to new places and other such social activities would be given lesser priority. Some users might in fact prefer virtual friends and dates to real people.
When a person is addicted to alcohol/smoking, the objective behind treatment would be to make him become totally free of the habit. Unfortunately, the same cannot be applicable to internet addiction. Far too many things in the present-day world are dependent on the internet that it is nearly impossible to avoid our online presence altogether without suffering huge losses. It is for this reason that self realization and self motivation are the best methods to overcome this problem.
Be truthful when you do the above.
The Catch?
DENIAL
This is the single major problem that internet addicts face. It is very rare to find someone who accepts that he is an internet addict. However, until realization dawns it is impossible to escape from this affliction.
So, the next time you want to know how to make Maggi in 2 minutes, do not log on to Google and search for the recipe. Instead, ask your mom or spouse or friends.... or just check the package for instructions.
Ciao.... and have a happy time surfing...!
Major References:
1. Internet Addiction
2. Internet addiction: Too much of a good thing?
3. Editorial of the March 2008 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry
4. Internet Addiction Disorder
and many more...
a. He has work to do
b. He is gaining knowledge
c. He is “socializing†online
d. He is addicted.....
b. He is gaining knowledge
c. He is “socializing†online
d. He is addicted.....
You don’t need to be a Jamal Malik to answer the above question right.
Probably a decade ago, there were a considerably lesser number of people with access to computers and internet. I remember going to the internet cafe for the first time in my life only as late as 2001. At that time I was a college going student, nearing completion of my UG course. Today kids even in their KGs have access to computers. The booming economy in the past few years, improving lifestyle of the middle class, and increased awareness about computers and their ease of use have all contributed to this. Corporates, governments and the “aam janta†have started realising and using computers and internet to the maximum potential.
However, there is always another side to the coin. Overuse of and over-dependence on the web has always been on the rise. It has several negative effects and complications too. I have tried to collect and collate information from several sources regarding this and put them in a concise and legible manner in this article.
What do we need the net for?
Generally speaking, we use computers/internet for one of the following broad purposes:
1. Professional reasons
2. Email / sending messages
3. Seeking information
4. Downloading stuff including porn
5. Socializing
6. Financial transactions and trading, including shopping
2. Email / sending messages
3. Seeking information
4. Downloading stuff including porn
5. Socializing
6. Financial transactions and trading, including shopping
Although I haven’t followed any particular order, the list above might hold true with regard to the priority with which people use internet for.
What are the signs of getting addicted?
As long as we restrict ourselves to being online for the required time alone, the net can be the biggest boon that science has provided us thus far. But most of us stay online far more than we actually need to. It starts in an innocent way when we want to just prolong our browsing for a few minutes, but gradually acquires very large proportions, without our realizing it. That is when we become addicted.
I don’t want to bore you people about the scientific part of addiction, but generally some “substance†or “habit†is called addictive when you cannot part with it; when it causes problems on withdrawal; and when you gradually start to develop a tolerance to it. Incidentally, overuse of internet is known to cause all of these.
Mr.XYZ would be so engrossed and interested in the worldwide web that he would start neglecting his basic needs and drives. He would lose his sense of time. How many times has this happened to you?
If due to some reason, Mr.XYZ is not able to go online, he would start feeling bored, irritated and sometimes depressed too. What started as a 1 hr or 2 hrs habit, would gradually become increased to such an extent that sometimes he would sit in front of the computer for even 8 to 10 hrs at a stretch. Social life takes a bad hit. Interaction with spouse or children would become lesser and lesser.
Various psychologists and professionals have made extensive studies on the effect of internet on a person’s lifestyle. Some of the symptoms which according to these experts indicate an addiction to the internet are as follows:
1. Preoccupation with the Internet: The user often thinks about the internet while he or she is offline.
2. Loss of control: Addicted users feel unable or unwilling to get up from the computer and walk away. They sit down to check e-mail or look up a bit of information, and end up staying online for hours.
3. Inexplicable sadness or moodiness when not online: Dependency on any substance often causes mood-altering side effects when the addicted user is separated from the substance on which he or she depends.
4. Distraction (Using the Internet as an anti-depressant): One common symptom of many Internet addicts is the compulsion to cheer one's self up by surfing the Web.
5. Dishonesty in regard to Internet use: Addicts may end up lying to employers or family members about the amount of time they spend online, or find other ways to conceal the depth of their involvement with the Internet.
6. Loss of boundaries or inhibitions: While this often pertains to romantic or sexual boundaries, such as sharing sexual fantasies online or participating in cyber sex, inhibitions can also be financial or social. Online gambling sites can cause addicts to blow more money than they would in a real-life casino because users never actually see their money won or lost, so it is easier to believe the money is not real. Chat rooms can incite users to reveal secrets they would not reveal in face-to-face or phone conversations because of the same separation from reality. Also, addicted users are much more likely to commit crimes while online (e.g., 'hacking') than non-addicts.
7. Creation of virtual intimate relationships with other Internet users: Web-based relationships often cause those involved to spend excessive amounts of time online, attempting to make connections and date around the Net.
8. Loss of a significant relationship due to Internet use: When users spend too much time on the Web, they often neglect their personal relationships. Over time, such relationships may fail as partners simply refuse to be treated badly and break off from relations with the addicted individual.
The above has been quoted from an article on internet addiction available at Mental Health, Depression, Anxiety, Wellness, Family & Relationship Issues, Sexual Disorders & ADHD Medications
Did you think “yes, this applies to me as well†when reading any of the above symptoms? How many of them have you experienced?
What are the negative effects due to such an addiction?
Invariably Mr.XYZ would start experiencing the negative effects of his habits after some time. He would be almost always tired and sleepy due long hours in front of the computer. His health would take a back-seat; his diet habits would change; and all this would lead to a change in lifestyle – more sedentary and lazy way of living – in turn, these would lead to increased incidences of chronic illnesses like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, etc.
The user would also end up messing his personal and social life. Hanging around with friends, going out to new places and other such social activities would be given lesser priority. Some users might in fact prefer virtual friends and dates to real people.
How do we come out of this affliction?
When a person is addicted to alcohol/smoking, the objective behind treatment would be to make him become totally free of the habit. Unfortunately, the same cannot be applicable to internet addiction. Far too many things in the present-day world are dependent on the internet that it is nearly impossible to avoid our online presence altogether without suffering huge losses. It is for this reason that self realization and self motivation are the best methods to overcome this problem.
1. It is essential that you realize that you have become over-dependent on the internet and that this habit is affecting your life.
2. You can set yourself some realistic goals to achieve.
3. Log books can be maintained to monitor internet usage.
4. Speak out with family members and friends to realize what they feel about the time you spend online, and what you are missing.
5. Use softwares to monitor and regulate and restrict your online presence
6. Seek a professional help.
2. You can set yourself some realistic goals to achieve.
3. Log books can be maintained to monitor internet usage.
4. Speak out with family members and friends to realize what they feel about the time you spend online, and what you are missing.
5. Use softwares to monitor and regulate and restrict your online presence
6. Seek a professional help.
Be truthful when you do the above.
The Catch?
DENIAL
This is the single major problem that internet addicts face. It is very rare to find someone who accepts that he is an internet addict. However, until realization dawns it is impossible to escape from this affliction.
So, the next time you want to know how to make Maggi in 2 minutes, do not log on to Google and search for the recipe. Instead, ask your mom or spouse or friends.... or just check the package for instructions.
Ciao.... and have a happy time surfing...!
Major References:
1. Internet Addiction
2. Internet addiction: Too much of a good thing?
3. Editorial of the March 2008 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry
4. Internet Addiction Disorder
and many more...
