In 1983, the internet as we know it was born. It wasn’t until 1990 that it took on a more recognizable face with the world wide web. Today, you would struggle to find a person under the age of 50 who doesn’t apply the benefits of the internet at least once a day.
You can almost literally find out anything you want to know and use social media to keep in contact with friends and family. You can even do your grocery shopping online! Like anything else, there comes a point when our sense of moderation can become unbalanced. Something that is meant to be a help can become an addiction. Here are a few ways you can tell.
Euphoria When Using The Internet
Let’s be honest, here. At one time or another, we have all experienced the sensation of disappearing into the virtual world of the internet. Whether it be talking out our issues on social media or playing an online game, we enjoy the ability to escape into a cheap high.
However, there comes a time when looking forward to that moment can create problems. Do you spend the day waiting for the moment you can lose yourself in an online RPG? Have you daydreamed about the girl or guy you are messaging halfway across the world that you’ve never met?
Does the thought of shopping on the web take precious time away from your job? You may be addicted to the internet.
Interruption Of Regular Schedule
Each of us have a basic day to day schedule. We wake up, have breakfast, go to work or school, eat lunch, run errands or do homework, have dinner, and then make our way to bed. Many of us make frequent visits to the internet during that schedule.
If you find that those visits are interrupting your schedule and are causing you to neglect your family, friends, or yourself, you may have an addiction to the internet. We should never allow a machine to take the place of the human contact of those around us. If this is an issue, seek help.
Avoid Work?
Like any red-blooded American, we all enjoy the occasional break. If we were honest, a life where work wasn’t necessary to make a living would be just about perfect. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. We must work if we want to eat, the house has to get cleaned, homework has to be done, and children have to be raised well.
If you find yourself looking at time online like you do time with a new love affair, there might be an issue. Leisure time spent on the internet is meant to be exactly that, leisure time. It should not interfere with the time necessary to get the mandatory jobs of life completed. Giving yourself the day off every now and again is needed to retain your sanity, but three in a row might just be pushing it.
Internet addiction is a real danger and with the constant evolution of technology, the propensity towards this particular addiction will only grow. If you or someone you know has a problem with internet addiction, make sure to seek help.