The internet has changed the way we work, socialize and
educate ourselves. While the internet
has provided connections that otherwise could not be made very easily with
people all around the world, it has also created unique psychological problems
for some individuals. There is some
question about the psychological implications the Internet may be having on our
society as we are moving from a world in which we used to know our neighbors
and interact with people face to face to developing serious and deep
relationships with people from a distance.
Marriages have broken up, affairs have taken place, and teenagers have
been kidnapped by people they met over the internet. In fact, one teenager was encouraged to
overdose on drugs by his Internet friends and died while communicating over the
Net to this group.
There is a feeling of anonymity that is created by talking
on the web. You can be who you want to
be, reveal as much or as little as you want, and not be judged by your
appearance. Of course this also means
people can be deceitful and dishonest about who they are and what they want
from you. In addition, there is a blending
of home and work and increased solitary.
Studies shows that greater use of the Internet is associated with less
communication among family members decreased socializing with local friends,
and increased depression and loneliness.
One study showed that using the Internet more than 5 hours a week
resulted in less time with friends, family, and social activities.
In fact, there is such concern about the potential adverse
effects of spending too much time on the Internet that there are mental health
professionals that propose adding “Internet addiction” as a diagnosable mental
disorder. How can you tell if you are
addicted?
Here are some warning signs:
1.
Preoccupation with the Internet-planning and
thinking about the next time you can get online.
2.
Increased use of the Internet over time.
3.
Repeatedly making unsuccessful attempts to
curtail your use of the Internet.
4.
Feeling irritable, restless, and moody when you
attempt to cut down your use of the Internet or are prevented from getting
online when you would like.
5.
Unaware of how much time you are spending on the
Internet, staying online more than you originally intended.
6.
Lying to family members and friends about your
use of the Internet.
7.
Jeopardizing your job or risking losing a
relationship because of the time you are spending on the Web.
8.
Using the Internet as a way of escaping from
problems, coping with depression.
9.
Declining invitations to spend time with family
and friends because you would rather be online.
Of course, answering “yes” to one of these questions does
not indicate a concern. However, if you
can answer “yes” to more than half of these questions, then you may want to
examine your use of the Internet. Here
are some ways you can avoid being an Internet addict:
·
Decide how much time you want to spend on the
Internet before you get online and set an alarm for that time. Stick to that time allotment and don’t say “5
more minutes” which can then become an hour.
·
Take frequent breaks. Spend at least 5 minutes out of every hour or
15 to 20 minutes of every 3 hours on unwired activity. Take a walk, stretch your body, eat a snack,
or listen to music.
·
Visit a Net with a purpose and a strategy. Surfing the web aimlessly can lead to being
online for longer than you anticipated.
·
Interact with the people in a no wired
world. Make a commitment to socially
interact at least once a day with someone who is not online.
No comments:
Post a Comment