MICHAEL OGBEIDE explores ways in which people get addicted to Internet use
Just
as people can get addicted to alcohol, cigarettes, drugs or gambling,
one can also get addicted to the Internet. Does few minutes turn into
hours while you surf the Internet? Do you stay longer at your office
when every other person has gone home so you can use the internet
freely? Have you ever tried limiting your Internet use but failed? If
you answer “yes” to these question, then you may be an Internet addict.
Experts
see Internet addiction as a disorder that involves excessive web use
which ultimately leads to interference with daily life, work and
physical relationships. In fact, youths and a good number of adults feel
much more comfortable chatting with their online friends than with
‘real’ friends.
Yes,
the Internet is arguably the most outstanding innovation in the field
of communication in world history. With it, the world has been turned to
a village providing people with cheap and easy ways of communication,
as well as a dynamic source of valuable information and entertainment.
Both
young and old make use of the diverse opportunities embedded in the
Internet to get breaking news from the four corners of the world,
perform online transactions such as payment of bills and job hunting.
The
Internet has also brought with it social networking sites such as
Facebook, Twitter, which have become popular among the youth. These
networking sites have evolved as a social medium for connecting millions
of people with similar interests around the world.
With
the numerous advantages inherent in the use of the Internet, it is
common to see people starring at the screens of their computers or glued
to their mobile devices browsing longer than necessary. However, as
good as the Internet is, experts warn that getting addicted to it could
be counter-productive. But how can you know that you have been addicted
to the internet? Here are some forms Internet addiction could take:
Excessive computer games
There
are opportunities to play games all over the Internet and many youths
find it hard to limit the frequency with which they play these online
video games. They play it all night and sleep during the day missing
lectures during the daytime. If you always feel irritable and crave to
play online games when you are away from the digital world, then you are
close to becoming an Internet addict.
Premium on online friends
If
you place premium on your friends on chat rooms and social networking
sites over and above real-life relationships to the extent that you feel
uncomfortable and nag when your friends, family members or even your
spouse ask you to spend some time with them, then you are fast becoming
an addict.
Pornography addiction
One
major factor that makes a significant number of people get addicted to
the Internet is the availability and easy accessibility of pornographic
materials on the web. Internet pornography addicts spend many hours
online in privacy and engage in fantasies impossible in real-life
situations. Experts say this has a negative impact on such people’s
emotional life.
General surfing addiction
Some
Internet users cannot do without hoping from one website to another,
looking for nothing in particular. They often find themselves unable to
comfortably leave the computer to engage in other activities. When one
is preoccupied so in an office environment, then it becomes very
difficult to complete everyday tasks leading to lower on the job
productivity.
Internet dating addiction
Dating
sites have continued to attract more Internet users seeking the
possibility of meeting a life partner. Many can’t resist the temptation
of not signing in to online dating sites making them log on multiple
times in a day to see if they have been lucky to get someone interested
in their profile. They start out with one dating site, and then they
join more dating sites to increase their prospect.
This invariably eats into their time, distorting their schedules and their lives.
That's one of the best article I have read so far on the Internet addiction. Here, you have discussed every type of Internet addictions. I am not an Internet addict. I use it to make money and run my household. I loved your article. Thanks Michael for writing this nice article.
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Johny
thank you too....Johny,,, you are totally awesome.........!
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