20 Signs Of Internet Addiction

November 7th, 2006

TechnologyI’ve noticed I spend way, way, way too much time on the internet. Of course, my job is web-centric so I have somewhat of an excuse. But I’ve noticed some troubling signs that indicate I’m probably terminally addicted. See if any of my sorry symptoms apply to you, too:

1. When I lose internet access, I start worrying about trivial information passing me by. What’s the stock market doing? Who’s visiting my website? Did anybody sign my guestbook? What’s on the front page of digg? Who cares? I do. Too much.

2. As soon as I wake up, I hit the computer then the cup of coffee. And both before the bathroom.

3. When people I haven’t seen in a while ask what I’ve been up to, I hear myself reiterating past blog posts. And verbally, it’s usually not as interesting.

4. I update my iPod daily, in hopes to get my podcast cue shorter, so I can delete the files cluttering up my iTunes library. But I keep hitting “refresh” like a crazy man.

5. Before stepping away from the computer to do a non-web related task (like taking a shower), I like to start a time-consuming task like downloading podcasts, ripping a DVD, or backing up my hard drive. There just can’t be any downtime. An idle computer is so inefficient.

6. I sometimes prefer to watch DVDs and TV shows on the computer so I can bounce back and forth between computer related activities.

7. I get annoyed reading a newspaper because I can’t click on the headlines and jump to the proper story.

8. As soon as there’s a new software update to Mac OSX or Firefox I download it right away, consequences be damned.

9. One computer is not enough. At the very least, a desktop and a laptop. I’m also contemplating getting a third so I can use my iMac as a MAME cabinet.

10. One monitor is not enough. At work I have a dual-screen set up, plus I’m checking stuff out on my MacBook at the same time. So that’s three monitors, and I could probably think of a use for a fourth.

11. I download pages from websites to my laptop so I can read them while off-line.

12. Whenever I have a question, my initial instict is to check Google. And I actually find myself not caring to commit important things to memory because I trust I can always use Google. As a result, without Google I feel like part of my brain is missing.

13. I haven’t bought a CD or a DVD in ages since I can download music and TV shows instead. For example, I found out about Stephen Colbert’s green screen via YouTube instead of cable television.

14. I have actually witnessed a story bouncing between digg, reddit, and Slashdot, and finally showing up on CNN a few days later.

15. Sometimes I decide whether or not to do things in the “real world” on the basis of if it will make a good blog post.

16. My online “to do” list is longer than my “real world” one.

17. I get annoyed when asked to do something in the real world (like pay a bill, or change an address for a magazine subscription) and find there is no online equivalent. Do these companies actually expect me to pick up a pen and paper?

18. I check out so many RSS feeds that the convenient nature of the RSS feed no longer exists. I need an RSS feed of my RSS feeds, and I may need an RSS feed for that.

19. When people ask me what I want for Christmas / birthday, I direct them to my Netflix queue or Amazon wish list. I can’t even remember what I want any more - it’s on the internet.

20. I’m writing this post about internet addiction on my blog, and will be watching my hit counter to see if anybody reads it.

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Viewing 10 Comments

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    thats so true, nice list
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    I know what you mean. I am 17 and get up EVERY morning and before i get ready to go to school. I do the same thing.
    1. Start up computer
    2. Check Emails
    3. Open forums in tabs
    4. Check Ebay
    5. Itunes
    6. Leave computer to get ready!!

    Then 15mins later after i get ready i go back on doing the same thing till i have to leave for school.

    When i get home i am on the internet till I GOT TO BED. Thats like 6-9 hours a night!
    On the weekends i am on as well, every but of spare time i am on the internet.

    When i have homework it now takes me AGES to get into doing it because i am always using the internet. Also other teens play games. I havn't played a game in years, its 100% internet! I use to have a social life but now i am never going out.

    SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!!!! I NEED TO GET A LIFE!!!
    Is there a cure?
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    Harold, sadly I think the best cure is to go cold turkey and move in with the Amish.

    No, seriously... the only way I am able to cut down on the internet is to go on vacation and distract myself with other fun stuff. Maybe that is the real secret... to get some hobby that doesn't involve the internet. I'm thinking I should take up watching television  (joke).

    Thanks for commenting though, I am glad I am not alone.
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    ok I will take your advice.
    I am willing to do that and maybe check my ebays once a day and thats it!
    I love to ride my Thumpstar 125cc motorbike so i guess i will ride that ALOT more.

    Thanks alot! Hope it all works out for us both!
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    I am 17 too and I am very stuck on the pc.

    In the morning when I wake up the first thing I do is turning on the PC. I leave smth downloading (as you said: an idle pc is useless) and when i'm back from school, the first thing i do (even before changing clothes, hygiene etc.) is using the pc for some hours. I use it ALL the time i can. I lose nights (even now - it's 1 am when i'm writing this and i still ain't satisfied; after 10 hrs of PC), my marks at school decrease, I dont have any friends (that's not as much the fault of the PC though, yet it could be better if i went out and socialize more) ... I neglect important things, i waste my life....

    I'm depressed if i dont use the pc and i feel like i'm missing something. i wonder about who's online, what new posts are there on the forums i visit, if there are new torrents on the tracker .......

    I am trying to find some cure, but i fall everytime in front of the charm of the pc,.. i feel very lost in this virtual world.

    I forgot to mention: ... three years ago i had perfect sight. now i have myopia and astigmatism, and even though i know the intense pc usage is the cause and a reason to aggravate my situation i still refuse to leave it.

    if i shut down, i dont know what to do. i feel like i just landed outta somewhere.

    I' ll continue searching the web now .. maybe i find smth that could give me some perspective on curing this... though, it seems close to impossible.

    P.S. : I liked your article a lot ;)
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    Hi Anja I'm starting to limit the amount of time on the computer. Kind of like going on a diet. It's hard because I work on computers all day. My first attempt is to only post on this blog 3 x a day maximum. There's no way I could quit cold turkey but it doesn't have to be all or nothing.

    I'm going to try other hobbies like playing music, reading books, drawing with paper and pencil, socializing, or just getting out of the house more. Maybe some of these things would work for you, too!

    Thanks for visiting and commenting!
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    dude, cool article.
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    good for you to recognize you have an addiction! I'm a teacher of English from Rosario, Argentina, and I came across your site looking for some material. I think this kind of addiction is something that in a way is socially accepted, like cigarettes some time ago, what do u think?? warm regards and hope u get better :)
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    haha oh...yes... I relate...
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    I'm addicted too! This is so me! I think it started last year when I was first given a laptop and now it's my life. I only care about online friends... I have no job ambition! Funnily enough got depression around the same time and now have a physiatrist. O_o One time my internet connection broke for a few days... I couldn’t cope and tried to hang myself, fainted and had to stay in hospital... And I’m only 15... But hey, I’m a little happier now! Sorry for the depressing comment xx

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