Am I Addicted

Mention the phrase Internet addiction to a teenager who is extremely familiar with the workings of the online community and disbelief might be the first reaction that you will get. However, the reality is that there is such a thing as Internet addiction. Just like all the other types of addiction, Internet addicts feel anxiety at the thought of not being able to go online. Whenever they are in front of the computer, they tend to forget their social, personal and professional obligations. Since browsing the Internet is a solitary activity, the social growth of an individual who is addicted to the Internet is stunted.

If you think that you or someone close to you is a 'candidate' for Internet addiction, there are several signs that you need to watch out for. Do you often find yourself spending more time online than you intended? For example, if you only have one hour free to go online because there is another appointment that you need to keep on the next hour – and you missed the appointment due your preoccupation to the Internet, this could be a sign of addiction. If you prefer to browse through social websites instead of spending time with your real friends in the outside world, you might be an Internet addict.

Neglecting household chores, defensiveness when asked about what you are doing online, acting overly annoyed if you are disturbed in the middle of an online session and preferring to be your own company and going online rather than being outdoors are the other signs of Internet addiction. If you are an Internet addict, it means that your Internet usage is not on a healthy level anymore. The compulsion to go online negatively affects your life in general. If you would like to know whether you are addicted to the Internet online, you should look for these clues and assess your Internet usage. If you feel that there is a need for you to be cured of your Internet addiction, you can consult a psychologist or a general practitioner for help.

Concerned? - Take the Internet Addiction (IAT) Test >>