If you’re reading this…you might be addicted to the Internet

How much time are you spending on-line these days? Do you try to cut down? Feel guilty because you neglect your real responsibilities at work or home? Do you feel the need to follow that link on the page you have in front of you? While not defined in an official way yet, some are suggesting the following criteria for addiction to the Internet (from Wikipedia). You can read below if you like but I’ve got to get off of here and go do some work…  

A pattern of Internet use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress as manifested by three (or more) of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:

1. Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
   • A need for markedly increased amounts of time on Internet to achieve satisfaction.
   • Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of time on Internet.
2. Withdrawal, as manifested by either A or B below:
   • (A) the characteristic withdrawal syndrome, 1, 2 and 3 below
     1. Cessation of (or reduction in) Internet use that has been heavy and prolonged.
     2. Two (or more) of the following, developing within several days to a month after Criterion:
        • (a) psychomotor agitation
        • (b) anxiety
        • (c) obsessive thinking about what is happening on the Internet
        • (d) fantasies or dreams about the Internet
        • (e) voluntary or involuntary typing movements of the fingers
     3. The symptoms in Criterion 2 cause distress or impairment in social, occupational or another important area of functioning
   • (B) Use of Internet or a similar on-line service is engaged in to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
3. Internet is often accessed more often or for longer periods of time than was intended.
4. There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control Internet use.
5. A great deal of time is spent in activities related to Internet use (for example, buying Internet books, trying out new WWW browsers, researching Internet vendors, organizing files of downloaded materials).
6. Frequent talks about the Internet in daily life.
7. Important family, social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced in duration and/or frequency because of Internet use.
8. Internet use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical, family, social, occupational, or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by Internet use (for example, sleep deprivation, marital difficulties, lateness for early morning appointments, neglect of occupational duties, or feelings of abandonment in significant others).