Internet addiction appears to be a large and growing problem in China. A PC World article reported that the number of young Chinese individuals addicted to the online world has jumped to 24 million last year.
UK psychologists report that there is a strong link between heavy internet use and depression. The study, published in the journal Psychopathology, found that 1.2% of people surveyed were addicted to the Internet, and many of them were depressed.
The BBC reports that the Leeds University team stressed that they could not say one necessarily caused the other, and that most internet users did not suffer mental health problems.
The conclusions were based on 1,319 responses to an online questionnaire, and participants were recruited via links on social networking sites. Participants were asked how much they used the internet and for what purposes. They were also asked a series of questions to assess whether they suffered from depression.
Internet addiction has been found to double the normal levels of self-harm among high-school students, according to a new study. However, the researchers say it is not clear that the addiction led to self-injury, and that both behaviors may be symptoms of a deeper problem—a lack of self-control.
According to Star magazine, sources close to actress Jennifer Aniston say that her former boyfriend John Mayer was addicted to Twitter, ignoring Aniston’s phone calls and emails in favor of spending hours on the social media site.
Most people feel a little anxious after a period of time without access to a cell phone or computer, but some people can’t even go 5 minutes without texting, Tweeting, or checking their Facebook page. A recent Gadgetology study by Retrevo.com, a consumer electronics shopping site, set out to discover how much control social media has over people’s lives.
A new report warns that technology addiction among young people is having a disruptive effect on their learning, worsening their spelling and concentration, encouraging plagiarism, and disrupting lessons.
America’s first Internet addiction treatment center has opened in Fall City, Washington, not far from Microsoft’s headquarters. The 45-day program at the 6-bed, family style retreat costs about $14,500 and is not yet covered by insurance. However, there are some scholarships available.
By Colin Gilbert
Addiction is typically associated with substances such as alcohol or tobacco, but there isn’t always a chemical aspect to an addict’s behavior. Sometimes, mere behavioral patterns—such as watching television or exercising at the gym—can surpass the realms of recreation or habit to become legitimate addictions in a person’s life. Studies are now showing that surfing the Internet is a widespread addiction, sometimes warranting clinical treatment. It is currently estimated that 5-10% of Americans are addicted to the Internet.
Chat rooms. Porn sites. Social networking profiles. With all manner of entertainment – or vice, depending on your point of view – it’s no wonder that more researchers and psychologists are starting to probe the possibility of a new disorder taking hold of many individuals: Internet addiction.
And if you believe everything that you read, many of us are afflicted with this emerging addiction. … Continue Reading
