Cyberspace Addiction – Develop a compulsive behavior?
With regard to the history of mankind, the Internet has caused dramatic changes in our social psyche. Provides instant information and entertainment, and changing the way we work, socialize and interact. For many, it became a "Internet Messiah", a web of interconnection of everything and anywhere.
However, critics are now beginning to wonder if you can do without this technology. Stanford University conducted the first large-scale epidemiological study ever conducted random sample, it appears that more than one eight U.S. adults shows signs of dependence.
Abuse
Of 2513 people interviewed by telephone, or nearly 14 percent had difficulty prying themselves away from the computer, while almost nine percent concealed their use of your spouse or family, and another eight percent used it as a way escape. User typically spends up to 30 hours per week on non-essential Internet use.
The CNS Spectrum October 2006 (International Journal of Neuropsychiatric Medicine) reported that U.S. home Internet penetration reached 74%, more than 220 million users. He said: "For a subset of users can support become a problem that the current consumption characteristics of recognized Impulse Control Disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. "Social isolation, which caused the freedom associated with anonymous online seems also said to be growing well.
This is all leading "a small but growing number of Internet users begin to see your doctor for help with unhealthy attachments to cyberspace, the Lead author Elias Aboujaoude Stanford said the Daily Tech More worrying is the number of people who hide their Internet use or non-essential Internet use to escape a negative mood, the same way that alcoholics can. "In a sense, using the Internet for self-medication," he said.
Who is vulnerable?
Internetworldstats.com said that, in general, more than 1 billion users are now connected online, which is an index penetration of 16.7% of the total population. Surprisingly, there is an increase of 200% since 2000, with Top 32 countries with an average of almost 70% penetration Internet. This is a phenomenon never seen in history, and without likely to increase.
But far from being a sure way to escape the problems of life, the Internet is actually an interactive database, anonymous and completely unregulated. This, says the Center for Internet addiction and online (COLA), may be easier for those who suffer from depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and low self-esteem, develop compulsive habits.
In March 2004, said that addicts COLA, Vampires sometimes known as "Internet", the presentation features of what some professionals call Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD). This includes impulse control problems such as addiction to adult chat rooms, online relationships, pornography, net compulsions such as gambling, trade days, or auction purchases.
What obsession?
However, many believe the Internet is a powerful tool for personal use. In the past, people go to your bank, call your agent, take a paper or drive to work often. Now, the online content saves us valuable time to be connected services that meet our needs.
But paradoxically, studies also indicate to users less productive and less responding to people and less attentive at work or at school. In other words, the Internet seems to run on a large number, making them less effective and causing an alarming lack of control over behavior.
How it affects us as a society is sure to invite a vigorous debate, but we know the history of the Internet has taught us to expect unexpected.
About the Author
Jorg Mardian is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Fitness Trainer, with over 25 years of practical experience through thousands of clients. He is also editor of “Health in Motion,” a health intelligence blog giving clear and concise information on the real truth about nutrition and causes of disease. It can be found at http://healthinmotion.wordpress.com
