Are You a Web Addict?

Brittany · #1 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 01:33 PM

"Do I spend too much time online?"

It's a question I'm sure each of us has wondered at some point in our lives (oh, come on, admit it! You know you've had that question cross your mind at least ONCE!)

Well, some psychiatrists are actually taking the time to use science to determine whether the internet can actually be an addiction.

Check out this article from CNN:

http://www.webprowire.com/summaries/556353.html

What do you think about this??

**JMuncy** · #2 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 04:39 PM

Hello:

There are many people out there that just spend every waking moment online, who could blame them really. The web just has anything and Everything you could ever want. The options are endless.

So would you classify it as Addiction or Obsession?

carju1 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 04:50 PM

Interesting article (in a pscological way). OK My MOUSE scores:

I'll admit to the M,
O depends if you define a responsibility such as doing the washing but not if it means putting a child to bed or work
U Never tried to cut down
S nope
E Ummm I do get "I wonder if I have important e-mail" stray thoughts when I can't get to a computer but not anxiety.

The interesting thing that isn't mentioned in the article is what people do when they are not on-line. I spend a fair bit of time on-line each week but then again I proberly watch a maximum of 4 hours tv a week (maybe a little more if there's a major sporting event on). I don't listen to the radio or read newspapers so the time I sopend on-line reading news or getting sports results is instead of watching tv news or reading the paper sports section.

Personally I'd rather be on-line sharing opinions in forums like this or reading the news artiles that interest me than watching soap opera's on tv. At least this way there is some interactivity which there isn't with a tv. Yes if you 'have' to be on-line or feel anxious then you may have a problem but if you are on-line rather than watching tv then no you have less of a problem.

Regards
Julian

Chatmag · #4 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 07:32 PM

When someone asks you the time, and you glance down at the lower right hand corner of the magazine you're reading, you're spending too much time online.

I can agree with the article when it mentions online activities being taken to extremes. Working around chat rooms, I've noticed a hard core group of people always logged into a room, and after checking their idle time, see that they are for the most part not active. I can only wonder if they are actually at their computer or not. The online game and auction sites are also havens for the online-addicted.

I think that high Internet usage is not in itself a disorder, but a symptom of an underlying condition. It may be that high usage is a substitute for addressing an existing condition, similar to meditation, which focuses one's thoughts to the exclusion of all others. Perhaps it is possible that under controlled conditions, 'Net usage may even be used therapeutically.

I also noticed the study was conducted at The University of Florida, which is right down the street from me. Thank goodness they didn't ask me to participate! (my excuse is that I work on the 'Net).

Brittany · #5 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 10:23 PM

ad·dic·tion (eh-dk'shn) :: The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or or involved in something.

ob•ses•sion (ub-sesh'n) :: Compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea or an unwanted feeling or emotion, often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety

Well, gee, neither of them sound too good, according to Dictionary.com!

Personally, I'll just use the same excuse as Chatmeg: I work on the 'Net! (Even though I'm at home right now... LOL)

Brittany

PS -- if anyone cares, here's how I scored on that "MOUSE" test:

M - always
O - depends on the responsibilities. I basically look for any excuse to get out of doing the dishes, but I still pay rent and go to work, and all that good stuff ;)
U - well, I've never really tried to cut back (do you really think I should?)
S - fortunately enough, I do have a social life, one that has nothing to do with the internet *gasp!*
E - nope, can't say I go through 'Net withdrawal (YET)

cyanide · #6 (**permalink**) 08-07-2003, 11:34 PM

... and, when your internet connection goes down ?

a sudden panic attack, followed by
anxiety over a piling up of emails,
the development of cold sweats,
and a rapid pacing back and forth ...

Linda Buquet · #7 (**permalink**) 08-08-2003, 12:37 PM

Brittany,

You beat me to it! I love this article and can totally relate! I admit I am web addict with all the symtoms. I even have serious withdrawal symptoms when I can't be online. Plus on top of that I am a work-a-holic.

I just can't stop, don't want to and have resigned myself to the fact that there are a lot worse addictions than the web and work. At least I make good money indulging in my addiction! If I was addicted to gambling or had an AVERSION to work - I would not have any money at all.

So I have come to accept my obsessions and weaknesses and am proud to stand up and admit - I am a Web Addict!

#8 (**permalink**) 08-12-2003, 04:00 AM

I dont believe Im addicted, but will admit to being connected 24/7 on a shitty dial up account. I spend on average, between 6 and 12 hours daily in front of the actual screen, but Im not always "active" so to speak. Usually Im downloading stuff, whilst working on web pages and such
Ive been involved with computers for almost 15 years, and being a hardware man, when I cant get online, the concern is usually for the reason of the breakdown, and not the actual fact that I cant log on.
I didnt bother reading the article, or taking the test, as Its all been said and done before. This subject pops up in conversation quite often.
I too have resigned myself to what I am also. lol
On a final note..........In all my years on the net, I have NEVER found any affilliate program worth Its weight. I dont believe that you can make money just by logging onto the internet, unless youve been involved for years, and the fact is, most people who use affilliate programs, usually make any money they do make, by sucking in newbies, whoo as yet dont realise that you just cant make a living off the net, unless youre actually selling stuff on Ebay or something.
Anyway, Im Australian, and from experience here in Oz, thats my opinion.
Anyone who says theyre making a fortune on the net, Is just plain deluding themselves, or trying their best to get others involved.
My advice Is that most affilliates arent worthg 2 bob, and do yourself a favour and keep away from them.
This all came up due to reading articles where this type of "business" was used as an excuse for Internet addiction.

We arent addicts. We are active minded people, and need large input to fullfill certain aspects of our lives. The net Can be and Is great for this.

So dont make dont make excuses, and dont worry
Ild rather talk to intelligent people on the net, than half the DOPES, out there in the real world.
Cheers all.

Paulo · #9 (**permalink**) 08-15-2003, 02:43 PM

LOL.

My boss gave me 2 weeks off 'cos I've worked for 16 months with just 2 weeks off at Xmas 2002. I was 'on holiday' over the weekend and spent 3/4 days away from home. I took my laptop so that I could work for a client (at 2:30 in the morning)...

I come back and find myself with 'itchy feet' because I've not had my 'net/WPW fix ;-)

8 hours a day is a good hit to get you started

Love & Peace always

jvn · #10 (**permalink**) 08-16-2003, 07:21 PM

• More than intended time spent online

• Other responsibilities neglected

• Unsuccessful attempts to cut down

• Significant relationship discord because of use

• Excessive thoughts or anxiety when not online

M - Usually, but enjoy it most of the time.
O - Seldom
U - Not even trying to cut down. It is like an online university program. Learning as much as possible, so I count it as productive time.
S - Ah - I'm no longer sure which is / was "The Other Woman" LOL
E - Seldom a problem. I enjoy time off-line.

OK - Bottom Line - Guilty as charged!but fortunately its not a crime :)

Moondancer · #11 (**permalink**) 08-17-2003, 10:16 AM

M- usually lose track of time but I work on the net while at home.
O-depends on which responsibility they are talking about.. hate cleaning and doing laundry.. boring.
U- nope.. too much to learn to cut down, wishing I had more time and my eyes would cooperate.
S- nope, he spends as much or more time than I do so we talk while we are online.
E- That's hard to say since I believe it's about equal time except for periodically checking emails, etc for problems.

krend · #12 (**permalink**) 08-21-2003, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chatmag

When someone asks you the time, and you glance down at the lower right hand corner of the magazine you're reading, you're spending too much time online.

This has got to be the best quote ever!
hahahahah

vfaulkner · #13 (**permalink**) 08-22-2003, 02:09 PM

I must say Yes!
I just moved cross country and I had my computer up & running before my bed was unloaded from the truck...

Chatmag · #14 (**permalink**) 08-23-2003, 01:42 AM

Thanks, krend :)

Maybe we should have a new topic category "Just for Laughs" hinthint

A good amount of my material came from my dad. He was a CWO 4 in the Army, and had some good ones. The one I liked was a brass plaque on his desk, "I'm so smart, I'm almost stupid".

I modified that a bit for myself. Now I say "I'm at the glue-strip of my intellectual envelope".

le_gber · #15 (**permalink**) 08-25-2003, 07:17 AM

Also whe you try to Ctrl+Z stuff in your real life ;)

Leo

Reece · #16 (**permalink**) 08-25-2003, 09:36 AM

Define "intended " :-P

I am very good about addressing errands, household issues, mail, pets, etc before I get online and yes I did set up computer before my bed when I moved.

but....
My brother and I will be on the phone with each other discussing things, and STILL fall back upon IMS to share info a percentage of the info... Co-dependance?

I think when you feel the urge to turn all the smiley face signs at WalMart sideways :) THEN you are online too much!

shersleather · #17 (**permalink**) 08-25-2003, 05:23 PM

Do I spend too much time online? YOU BETCHA!!! I get separation anxiety when I walk away from my computer! I NEED my computer! Whew, I'm glad I got that off my back...I feel so much better now! ;) Thanks for the fun topic guys. :)

Sher

Note - Hi Sher I've reduced your font size down a bit. Using colurs, font sizes and bold is fine for some emphasis but size 18B for a whole post is a bit loud.
- Yours The Milk Monitor (its a break room, do you really want a moderator in your free space).

Links411 · #18 (**permalink**) 08-26-2003, 12:07 AM

wenwilder · #19 (**permalink**) 08-26-2003, 01:45 AM

Addiction to the Internet Test
Top 20 ways you know if you are addicted to the internet...

1. You find yourself typing "com" after every period when using a word processor.com

2. You turn off your modem and get this empty feeling, like you just pulled the plug on a loved one.

3. You start introducing yourself as "Jon at AOL dot com"

4. Your wife drapes a blond wig over your monitor to remind you of what she looks like.

5. All of your friends have an @ in their names.

6. You can't call your mother...she doesn't have a modem.

7. Your phone bill comes to your doorstep in a box.

8. You laugh at people with 14,400 baud modems.

9. You move into a new house and decide to Netscape before you landscape.

10. You refer to going to the bathroom as downloading.

11. You tell the cab driver you live at http://69.luck.street/house/bluetrim.html

12. Your spouse makes a new rule: "The computer cannot come to bed."

13. You ask a plumber how much it would cost to replace the chair in front of your computer with a commode.

14. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. :^)

15. You turn on your computer, and turn off your spouse.

16. Your best friend is someone you've never met.

17. Your spouse says communication is important in a marriage...so you buy another computer, and install a second phone line so you can chat.

18. You begin to wonder how on earth your service provider is allowed to call 200 hours per month "unlimited."

19. Your dog has its own home page.

20. So does your gold fish.

Linda Buquet · #20 (**permalink**) 08-27-2003, 06:42 PM

For those of you that just absolutely insist on spending every waking minute on-line...
I found the perfect office and a great solution to #13 above!

I hear this is a great way to read the on-line news or keep up with all the posts here at WPW!!!

Linda Buquet · #21 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 12:44 PM

Sorry Brittany,

Just read the new forum rules about no pictures allowed today, but I had already posted this pic last night. Gotta admit it's a good one though!

Brittany · #22 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 02:33 PM

Actually, I'm changing that rule.. you can still post pictures in the forum, just not too big ;-)

wenwilder · #23 (**permalink**) 09-04-2003, 03:24 AM

That is a very good picture Catalyst. If my computer wasn't in my kitchen I would consider a change. lol