Internet Addiction

CEBU, Philippines - The Internet definitely counts among the most useful of human inventions. It makes information very accessible, making researches and studies a lot easier. It also connects the world conveniently and fast, making it possible for people from different hemispheres to communicate at real time.

Thus, it's no wonder that everyone is getting hooked on the internet. It eases day-to-day life, and makes it fun. Given the emergence of various hand-held, internet-capable gadgets, the internet has become everybody's "personal buddy." Even those who are always on-the-go don't have to be out of the loop with family, friends and workmates.

The widespread connectivity has another side, though. It becomes a habit with many. Some can no longer do without checking their smartphones for the latest social media trends and statuses. The internet has become a major preoccupation.

Then, the internet engagement begins to interfere with one's daily routine. Some would skip a meal or forgo sleep time just to keep themselves abreast with developments on the internet. In fact, some spend more hours in internet surfing than at any other important task.

Experts consider spending four hours on the internet per day to be an addiction already. The ideal time for daily internet use is an hour or so. Computer or internet addiction has now been included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Internet addiction is characterized by emotional symptoms like feelings of guilt, anxiety, depression, dishonesty, great happiness and excitement when surfing the internet, disorganization, isolation from peers, and defensiveness.

The physical symptoms of the disorder includes backache, headache, sudden weight gain or loss, insomnia, carpal tunnel syndrome or tingling or numbness of hands and arms caused by pinched nerve on wrists, and blurred vision.

Internet addiction distorts one's morality and self-control. It is also common knowledge that online gaming and social media sites destroy the concentration of students towards their studies. Too much time on the internet is likely to result in poor academic performance.

Like any addiction, there are ways to prevent or get out of internet addiction:

Accept. Be aware of the possibility of being addicted to the internet - and establish safeguards.

Limit. Keep busy. Make a time frame for each of your daily activities, including the specific time to be spent online.

Communicate. Instead of spending time chatting online, talk to actual people, especially to your family and friends. Communicating with people face-to-face is much better than engaging with faceless people online.

Visit the library. If research is the purpose of going online, try going to the library instead. The most reliable information is found in books, which had gone through scrutiny during editing before publication. Blogs by non-certified experts are not as reliable. 

Divert your attention. When the itch to go online persists beyond the time allotted, think of other things to do. Try new activities, explore. The world outside of your comfort zone may unravel more interesting engagements for you - try cooking or gardening or carpentry.

Prioritize. Make a list of tasks to accomplish for the day, in their order of priority. Put more important and urgent things first. Things like school assignments and projects assignments, class reports, and helping around at home shall be given priority. (FREEMAN)