Thursday, 7 February 2013

Beware of Internet addiction.....!!!


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.

2 comments:

  1. 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.

    Best Regards,
    Johny

    ReplyDelete
  2. thank you too....Johny,,, you are totally awesome.........!

    ReplyDelete

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