Internet addiction is a serious problem these days and will only become more so as the Internet continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Can humanity keep up? If you don’t think Internet addiction is a problem, we’ll have another post on that later.

Internet Addiction

For now, I want to offer some tips to help prevent Internet addiction. Whether you use these for yourself or a “friend” who is addicted to the Internet (Farmville addiction anyone?)

ZenHabits – a very cool site, btw – has 8 Practical Tips to Cure Your Internet ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder.)

Offline Day. Try to cure your Internet Addiction by having, at least once a month, a “completely offline” day. From the time you wake up till the time you go to sleep, avoid any contact with the Internet. No PDA, no email, no IM, no blogs.

MentalHealth.net has a good primer on Internet addiction titled Introduction to Internet Addiction.

Mental health professionals are split as to whether or not Internet addiction is real. No one disputes that some people use the Internet in a compulsive manner even to a point where it interferes with their their ability to function at work and in social relationships. What is disputed is whether people can become addicted to the Internet itself, or rather to the stimulation and information that the web provides. The controversy surrounding Internet Addiction is precisely whether people become addicted to the net itself, or to the stimulation to be had via the net (such as online gambling, pornography or even simple communication with others via chat and bulletin boards.)

If you need a good look at the basics of Internet addiction that article should be able to help you.

If you need a more detailed and academic look at Internet addiction, there’s Internet Addiction Disorder: Causes, Symptoms,and Consequences by Jennifer Ferris. Not the most light reading, but if you’re interested in Internet addiction, it’s a good read.

And maybe it’s ironic that you’re looking up information on Internet addiction while using the Internet?

What are your thoughts? Are you addicted to the Internet? Do you know someone who is? How has it affected your life? Leave a comment below and let us know!