Internet Addiction

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I read an article in the local paper here couple nights ago about internet addiction. It has became a disorder where people are addicted to being online, they don't want to ever get off, they just want to stay on and that's all they rather do, than spending time with their spouse and partner, it's especially bad for parents because then they end up neglecting their kids. I remember reading an article on the internet about these two kids being taken away from their parents age 11 and 1 because they were too busy being on the internet they neglected them by not taking care of them. Sure an 11 year old can change diapers and feed their baby sister or brother and give them baths but it's not their job to take care of them 24/7.
Well anyways it hasn't became a disorder yet in the USA I read in the article but it said it will be in the next DSM diagnose criteria book in 2012. 150 have already been treated for their internet addiction by Jerald Block, a psychotherapist.
This whole article I read reminded me of my ex. All he wanted to do was be on the computer and he play WOW (I don't remember what online game he played) and never get off unless he went to the bathroom, ate or went to sleep. He said it passed time for him and it's something he does to keep him entertained. Another thing that causes internet addiction is the depression. In my opinion I think what can also cause it is being bored, loneliness, poor social skills so they do better online interacting with other people and they aren't so alone anymore. Plus it is easier to communicate online than in real life so I can imagine aspies can develop this problem too.
I wasn't surprised when the article mentioned a person in there who is a schizophrenic and he says he never almost has a delusion while his mind is focused on a video game because my mother thinks my ex might have also been a schizophrenic because of the some of the behavior he displayed in front of her and the things he says.

Has anyone else heard of this too about internet addiction? What do you think of it?


For me, I would never let it get in the way. I would spend a few hours online and then get off. If my kids needs me, tell my online friends I have to go and get off. Do the internet in my spare time like when the kids are in school or if my kid is napping. Luckily I don't do online games like WOW. If I did, I would limit myself.

It would be more accurate for me to say I'm computer addicted. I've got a lot of interests online, but I have made efforts to condense them, and do stuff offline instead. That's why sometimes you might see me post a long message on here awfully quick - because either I saw it here before I logged in and went and did something else while I typed a response (in Notepad). I guess one could say that given most of the offline work I do does go online then that should be included (and that would be fair enough).

But I am concious of doing other things even off the computer, and I do go out at certain times just to get out of the house and away from the computer and the Net. Tuesdays at the State Library is a great example of this - as well as Saturday afternoon's at the football during the footy season, and the odd wrestling show (such as just last night).

A great example of offline work is my Wiki. Virtually everything I have created there I have done offline - sometimes after saving web pages onto my hard drive so I can access them. Saves time - and money as well.

If I'm to be totally honest, I'm probably addicted to the Internet to some degree. I can (and do) step away from it at any time if the need arises, but I'll be right back before long, and I get anxious if I haven't been on for a while (by which I mean days). I end up forgetting to eat and stay up all night checking forums and chatting on IRC.

That said, I think there's some confusion over what it is that people are addicted to. I know people who base their entire lives around MySpace, but that's far from what I'd call "the Internet". For other people it's Facebook or a forum, or something else.

And I think it's probably less serious and widespread than you might think. I keep seeing articles about Internet addiction. I recall one that gave a list of signs to look for. It was so broad, practically anybody who uses a computer enough to know how would fit it, and so ridiculous as to be meaningless. For example, one such sign was making typing motions with your fingers while not at the computer.

I used to be addicted to playing World of Warcraft... When I realised it I quit!
Any addiction can be broken, but seeing as the internet plays such a huge part in everything these days, quitting cold turkey just isn't an option for most people.

I definately am addicted to the internet to some degree(when available, I can spend 14+ hours straight day after day on it, but have absolutely no problem leaving it for weeks and months at a time when needed), but once I find work in my field, I won't be anymore. There's too many other things I'd rather do if I had the amount of money needed to do them.

I love it because I can talk to others who share my interests. I just don't find people like this in real life or engage with them very well.

I spend way too much time online. I've really got to find other things to do.

I'm a total addict to the internet, and I hate it. Guess its both the cause of and treatment for my depression, so its hard to pull myself away from it. Whenever I am away from it I'm happy, but its always difficult and short-lived.

I'm not addicted to the internet but spend over 15 hours a day on it. Most of the time I am very bored online but there isnt nothing else to do other than watch tv or listen to music.

I suppose it's easy for aspies to get an internet addiction because it's easier for us to socialize online than in real life. Yes, I do spent a LOT of time on the internet.

I suppose I am addicted to the internet to a degree. I spent a large amount of time each day on the internet, whether it be looking through the news, checking one of the few forums I look at, or talking with friends on MSN. I can and do get away from it and go outside/read a book/watch TV/etc., but to stay away for any amount of time (2 days+) is hard to do.

Very soon, I will celebrate my seventh anniversary as a regular poster on the Siamese Internet Cat Club. It would be more accurate to say I was CAT addicted!

My mom always yells at me for being "addicted to my computer." I am to some degree - I mean, I can separate from it and go to school and work and whatever it doesn't run my life, but I do get anxious if I go for hours or especially days without it (vacations tend to really annoy me.) But I feel like people wouldn't call it an addiction if it was books I liked (which I do also.) I used my computer to read fan fiction, check news, IM and facebook with friends, and play games. My computer is just a method of accessing information - I'm addicted to information. If Ididn't have a computer I'd be going t o the library even more. I already read several papers and magazines and watch several newscasts etc. I'd get the info somehow - the computer just makes it easier.

I spend a lot of time online, but not to extent to where it affects my studies.

I would like to become less dependent on the Internet as far as social interaction goes. In fact, I would choose my cell phone over IM any day.

I'm only addicted jsut for long enough to get what I want from the internet. Like, friends in real life, and some online friends and phone friends.

My mothers' ex had a serious internet addiction. He neglected his kids and my mother took care of them. He would stay online all night...sometimes even all the next day. One time he stayed online playing BattleField 1942 for 56 hours!
He even quit his job and went on the unemployment benefit...the reason was, to go online!

That is a serious addiction...it DOES indeed destroy relationships.