Internet and Computer Addiction-- Very Possible

I am ceritfied in addiction counseling and a student of psych. I have not read the article but I agree that it could be possible to be addicted to internet use. Many things that induce a sense of euphoria can be addictive. Euphoria is a kind of escape. So it makes sense that escaping into the internet could be addictive.

I don't agree that it sharpens social skills, though. No form of escape can shapren social skills. People who want to escape are often motivated to do so in part because they are uncomfortable with others. They seek to escape the discomfort of social contact. The internet is a good way to do this.

The internet is only a virtual reality. Interaction with real people in "real reality" is very different than electronic interaction. If anything, I'd say that the electronic social substitute offered by the internet lulls users into erroneously believing they are in contact with other people so they end up isolating under the delusion that they are experienceing true social interaction.

Live people are not controlable like a computer is. Many people who have a propensity for addiction have issues with control. And the internet offers a sense of social control that live real, relationships do not have.

Replies:

Re:Internet and Computer Addiction-- Very Possible, by , 12/18/01 Re:Internet and Computer Addiction-- Very Possible, by , 06/23/03 Re:Internet and Computer Addiction-- Very Possible, by Jill Devine, 09/04/03

| Behavior OnLine Home Page | Disclaimer |

Copyright © 1996-2004 Behavior OnLine, Inc. All rights reserved.