What is Internet Addiction, Who is at Risk, and How Can It be Avoided?

Dealing with Internet Addiction

Is it even possible for someone to become addicted to the internet? Aren't addictions limited only to substance abuse?

While in most cases an addiction is defined as being unable to function without ingesting some particular substance, internet addiction is a rare case in which that rule simply does not apply. The addict may be emotionally and mentally digesting something or finding fulfillment for most of his or her needs without actually interacting with the real world.

Internet addiction is a situation in which the internet becomes such a focal point in someone’s life that other aspects of life actually suffer considerably.

While the addict is participating in online activities, he or she is oblivious to real life exchanges that they are actually participate in. Take, for instance, a situation in which a spouse or family member is attempting to have a conversation with the internet addict. The addict’s focus is somewhere else. They might seem to be participating in the conversation but in all reality the addict will retain little if any of the information that was exchanged.

A recurring problem regarding that scenario is that the addict offers an opinion or agrees with important decision making and then fails to remember doing so later. That leads to even more estrangement as the addict feels that they are being left out of important decision making and drifts further away from reality.

That is only one of many possible scenarios that can occur. In the worst case scenarios, children have even drowned when the internet addicted parent failed to partake in bath time responsibilities because they were unable to tear themselves away from the World Wide Web.

What is it that makes the internet so dangerously and incredibly addictive? Why is it that some people will rarely even check emails or social networks and other people depend on those innovations as if they were air or water? Why do some people prefer to shop in actual stores while others rely on the internet for most of their shopping needs? Why do some people attempt to meet potential spouses while on their quest through daily life, and yet others depend solely on the internet to secure a date? Is there a particular personality type that is more prone to fall into an internet addiction than others?

Anyone can become an internet addict. A historian or other person who is curious about genealogy might find that there are an endless amount of resources online for tracing their ancestry and become so entangled in the mystery that they cannot cease to utilize those multiple resources long enough to eat a meal. Each night as they try to sleep the pieces of the puzzle swirl around in their thoughts, making them anticipate their next online session with passion.

A young person might take interest in an online role playing game where they are able to build skill levels and accomplish more within the game than they are able to accomplish in real life. The game might have visually pleasing features and music that lures them back again and again. They might acquire several friends during the course of playing the game and feel more comfortable socializing in the form of their imaginary avatar than they do in real life as themselves. There are many attractions to the online world.

Many people find that they can be anything or anyone they want to be online and convey the image that they want others to perceive. They are not limited by the constraints of society and the person on the other end cannot actually see them, so they can create a whole other persona than they have in reality. Many people who enjoy those aspects of online life lack the self-confidence to realize that they can be anything they desire in reality as well. Yet others are completely confident and popular in real life but still enjoy the freedom of being another person online.

There is another genre of people who thrive on social networking and let it become the core of their existence. These people will consult the entire audience regarding the most basic things such as whether or not to get a haircut, how to approach a love interest, or what outfit to wear to a school function. That’s the mild end of the addiction. It has also become common place for people to air their dirty laundry on social networks. Some will make passionate posts about their feelings without even thinking about the repercussions. Some people flat out bully and pick on other people online. Many relationships have suffered because of all the personal things that were announced online. It is one of the latest developments in the online world. For some reason it has become fashionable to reveal deep feelings, relationship problems, and even to post pictures of every meal that one eats so that the online world can track their every move.

Those are not the only forms of internet addiction but merely a few examples. No matter the reason for the addiction, it is important to know how to keep from falling into such an addiction. There are several precautions that one can take to avoid falling into an internet addiction.

First and foremost, the most logical way to prevent an internet addiction is to set and enforce time limits regarding how much time is allotted for online activity. Whether child or adult, every person should have limits. Even an otherwise responsible adult needs to set limits to avoid the danger of this addiction. Addiction is not a rational choice. It is something that occurs unexpectedly.

A good limit for children is an hour or less internet time a day. Children and teenagers should be supervised or at least checked on unexpectedly and often throughout their online ventures. The same child that has shown honesty and integrity for a lifetime can be lured into dangerous situations on the internet the moment the parent looks away. It might sound over-protective or paranoid but if one researches the statistics of the potential for danger, it will become obvious that this supervision is not paranoia.

Another way to avoid being trapped into an online addiction is to really look at those people who are part of one’s life and think deeply about how one wants to be remembered in the future. Was the person a loving husband who lavished his wife and children with the attention and affection that they deserved, or was he so preoccupied with online activity that he missed out on really knowing and enjoying his family? Was the person a good friend who took the time to spend time with others and build life-long relationships and trust, or was the person too busy online to bother with friends?

Thinking into the future and acting on how one wishes to be perceived in the future is a good reminder of how to live in the present.

Internet addiction can be avoided by being knowledgeable about the possibilities and consequences of internet addiction. When a person is aware of potential danger it is easier to avoid the danger.
Each individual is capable of finding creative ways to avoid internet addiction. Sometimes people need to take a step back and analyze their life and activities from an outside viewpoint. Family game nights or trips to the movies might be in order. Human beings need interaction with other real life human beings in order to have a fulfilling life. It is true that some good relationships have begun on the internet, but once started, those involved must revert to real life interaction in order to maintain a meaningful relationship. Finding a balance between life on earth and life online might be difficult but it is not impossible.