Internet Addiction

Mohni Singh

Question:

Is it possible to be addicted to the Internet? When would you classify someone as being addicted?

Addiction is very serious, and harmful for yourself. If you can not stop checking your phone compulsively -even when it is having a negative impact on your work - you are probably using the Internet too much. Many people turn to the Internet in order to manage unpleasant feelings such as stress, loneliness, depression, and anxiety. When you have a bad day and are looking for a way to escape your problems or to quickly relieve stress, the Internet can be an easily accessible outlet. Losing yourself online can temporarily make feelings such as depression and boredom disappear. Many people believe an important aspect of overcoming Internet and computer addiction is to find alternate ways to handle these difficult feelings.

An addict is someone who can not give up an activity, substance, or habit no matter how much someone tries them to stop. In my opinion, I would classify a person as an 'addict' if they truly know that they are addicted, yet they are not doing anything to stop and get help. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain what they are addicted to. Important social, occupational and even recreational activities are given up or reduced because of the addiction use. The addiction is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent psychological problem that is likely to have been caused because of being addicted. People get addicted to drugs, significant others, hobbies, superficial materials, etc. A person who is truly an addict will go to any circumstances to feed their addiction to be satisfied. The person has an unsuccessful effort to cut down their addiction.