What is Internet Addiction?
Base on Dr. Kimberly Young, Internet Addiction is a broad term covering a wide-variety of behaviors and impulse control problems. It is important to understand that there are at least five specific types of Internet addiction:
Cybersexual Addiction (addictions to adult chat rooms or cyberporn).
Cyber-relationship Addiction (online friendships made in chat rooms, MUDs, or newsgroups that replace real-life friends and family, this also includes the issue of cyberaffairs).
Net Compulsions (compulsive online gambling, online auction addiction, and obsessive online trading.
Information Overload (compulsive web surfing or database searches).
Computer Addiction (obsessive computer game-playing or to programming aspects of computer science, mostly a problem among men, children, and teenagers).
Warning Signs of Internet Addiction
Do you feel preoccupied with the Internet (think about previous on-line activity or anticipate next on-line session)?
Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet use?
Do you stay on-line longer than originally intended?
Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of the Internet?
Have you lied to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet?
Do you use the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)?
For Additional information and help check out:
http://www.netaddiction.com/