the Age.com

Internet addiction costing millions

By ROZ KING Wednesday 2 May 2001

Compulsive web surfing by internet-addicted employees could be costing Australian businesses millions of dollars, an international expert said today.

Dr James Fearing, visiting Australia from the United States to address a conference on problems in the workplace, said using the internet could be just as addictive as gambling.

"It is similar to gambling in one sense in that it is more of a psychological addiction," Dr Fearing told AAP.

"It is almost like a craving in the brain where people stay on the internet."

Dr Fearing said there were numerous examples of US workers being fired for spending hours in the office on the internet.

"I believe companies are losing millions and millions of dollars because of the impact of the productivity of the people," he said.

He estimated that in the US between three million and 11 million people were addicted to the net.

However, just spending several hours a day on the internet or sending e-mails didn't equal addiction.

"Really what we look at are the consequences from spending time on the internet," Dr Fearing said.

"We look at a loss of control and an inability to self-regulate.

"You break promises to yourself and you break promises to other people."

The best cure for internet addiction was to go cold turkey.

"If (internet addicts) do not have to use a computer, we really recommend complete abstinence," Dr Fearing said.

"Literally get the computer out of the house or out of the office if you don't need it.

"If you do need it as far as your day-to-day functioning, we ask that you have the people around you monitor your activities."

He said there were three main components of internet addiction.

"The first one is avoidance, that is where somebody goes on the internet for 10 or 12 hours rather than dealing with their issues or problems," Dr Fearing said.

"The second area would be fantasy, when someone isn't real happy with themselves they can get into a chat room and reinvent themselves in the comfort of their home or office.

"The third area is sexual and we have two areas there, one is pornography and the other one is what we call cybersex."

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Addiction test

-- Lars (larsguy@yahoo.com), May 02, 2001

Answers

cybersex addiction test

-- Lars (larsguy@yahoo.com), May 02, 2001.

1-800-SEX-TALK

-- (nemesis@awol.com), May 02, 2001.

Nem, by posting what amounts to an advertisement, you've broken Unk's rule Number 137, Section R, subsection 14b, paragraphs 5 & 6. You will stand before a jury of your peers ASAP. You face banishment in perpituity to EzBoard-only fora. Personally I'd choose death by skinning over that.

However, if you are providing our host with unlimited free calling to that number (which could be considered a charitable contribution and a nice tax write-off) please ignore my admonishment. BTW, you have a lovely voice.

-- Rich (howe9@shentel.net), May 02, 2001.

Hey thanks! I called that sex number, and when I told the gal on the other end of the line what I wanted to do to her she fainted.

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeed@yahoo.com), May 02, 2001.

Unk, you shoulda told her that the sparklers and cigar were fake!

-- (kb8um8@yahoo.com), May 02, 2001.

Is that number real? I just took a wild guess. How 'bout 1-900-CYBER-ME?

-- (nemesis@awol.com), May 02, 2001.

FROM THE KIM KOMANDO NEWSLETTER, APRIL 21, 2001

It was difficult not to listen to a conversation I heard recently while waiting in the check out line at the grocery store. Two women were joking that baseball, cars, and beer no longer bring sheer delight to their husbands. You see, their husbands now spend hour after hour typing away "doing who knows what on that Internet."

No doubt, the Internet has changed the leisure habits of men, women and even children. Too much of any one thing can be bad for anyone, and such is the case with what the clinicians call "Pathological Internet Use.

Some researchers argue against the merits of labeling Internet overuse as a legitimate disorder. After all, there's no clinical TV, video game, talking on the telephone or work addiction disorder, and plenty of people do too much of those activities.

Whether you buy into the official terminology or not, for many people, spending too much time online is a daily reality. But just how much time online is overload? That's tough to answer. Time alone is not necessarily an indicator of cyber addiction, as it has to be looked at in the context of work, school or recreational activities.

When spending time online gets to the point that it disrupts sleep, work or domestic bliss, however, that is a clear indicator of "too much." According to the Center For Online Addiction (www.netaddiction.com), there are five distinct forms on cyber addiction, and identifying the particular type of addiction is central to breaking the cycle of dependence.

The most well known Internet addiction is "cyber sexual," afflicting people who continually engaged in viewing, downloading and trading online pornography or are involved in adult fantasy role-play chat rooms.

Similarly, "cyber-relational" or "chat room" addicts become overly involved in online relationships or may engage in virtual adultery. For these people, online friends quickly become more important than real-life relationships with family and friends. In many instances, this can lead to marital discord and family instability.

"Net gaming" addicts are obsessed with online gambling, game playing, shopping, auctions or stock trading. This type of compulsive behavior can be one of the most damaging, as it often results in significant financial loss or excessive spending.

The vast amount of data on the Internet can also lead to "information overload," resulting in reduced productivity when a person spends too much time searching, collecting and organizing information.

The fifth behavior is "computer addiction." Although this activity isn't directly associated with online computer use, it can still be highly disruptive in the work environment and has a great impact on productivity. Examples of basic computer addiction include endlessly playing computer games or habitual tweaking of settings, file management and other administrative computer functions.

Cyber Addiction Services (www.computeraddiction.com) has identified both psychological and physical symptoms of cyber addiction, and if you recognize yourself or someone you know in these, it may be time to get help.

Some of the psychological symptoms include: Having a sense of well-being or euphoria while at the computer; inability to stop; craving more and more time at the computer; neglecting family and friends; feeling empty, depressed or irritable when not at the computer; and lying to family or an employer about computer activities.

On the physical side, many common ailments associated with computer overuse may be signs of Internet addiction, but then again, you may just be working too much. Still, if you have any physical cyber addiction symptoms, you need to take a closer look at your patterns of online use. Common physical problems stemming from computer overuse include: carpal tunnel syndrome; dry eyes; migraine headaches; back aches; eating irregularities like missing meals; neglecting personal hygiene; and changes in your sleep pattern or sleep disturbances.

If you think you may suffer from cyber addiction, there are real-world resources, and of course, online help for you as well. Online, check out the government's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (www.samhsa.gov). Here, you can find expert advice, take an addiction test read articles and get other information. If you've had enough online activity, you can find local mental health help in just about every city by looking through your phone book under "addiction" or "mental health."

While professional guidance is always the best way to treat any psychological or physical issue, there are steps you can take to combat your own Internet abuse or the cyber addiction of a friend or loved one.

To begin with, try keeping yourself busy in other activities -- read a book, phone a friend, exercise, go to a movie or just get out of the house and away from your computer. And when you leave your electronic "friend," turn it off! The simple task of having to turn it back on and wait while it boots up may be enough of a deterrent to keep you from heading back too soon.

Another way to control Internet addiction is to use the computer as part of your recovery. Whenever you're online, use a productivity or time tracking program to log your activity, and stick with a strict, time-limiting regiment. A few of the better programs include WorkTime (www.nestersoft.com/worktime) or Proj Clock (www.cyber-matrix.com/pclock.htm).

For some people, total abstinence may be a reasonable cure, but that may not be practical if your work or school requires online activity. In this case, the best solution to fight cyber addiction could be a step-by-step recovery program, which may likely mean professional assistance. Remember, the computer will be there for you when you're ready, and the Internet's always available, but that doesn't mean you have to be!

-- Lars (larsguy@yahoo.com), May 02, 2001.

I'm not even close to being addicted to the internet. By the way, has anyone seen my monogrammed mousepad.

-- David L (bumpkin@dnet.net), May 04, 2001.

David, would that be the one on which you've drawn stick figure people with our names written under them? BTW, add some more curly hair to mine. I'm growing it out these days. Thanks.

-- Rich (howe9@shentel.net), May 04, 2001.

Rich, I'm afraid I've worn out the mousepad you describe. However, your hairstyle request is noted.

-- David L (bumpkin@dnet.net), May 04, 2001.

Hey y'all. I've tried to stop reading this board. It is impossible.

Success stories please !?!?!!



-- Debbie (dbspence@usa.net), May 04, 2001.