While the medical world holds multiple theories whether Internet Addiction can be categorized as compulsive disorder or behavior or as a type of psychological disorder, the fact remains that it is a alarming practice that is gradually sinking its root deeper and deeper among the young and the adolescents section of the community. As there are two sides of a coin, Internet addition has both benefits and drawbacks.
In the simplest of the terms, devoting too much time glued to the Internet is Internet addition. The general compulsion to sit at the Internet for hours together is what we term as Internet addition. The lure of the World Wide Web is so great that it is beyond the capacity of many to stay away from it thus making themselves the victim of many unwanted situations.
While the Internet is considered as the ocean of information and source of livelihood for many, it is also the root cause for poor grades and even loss of employment, even strained relationships. Internet addiction has reached an alarming stage in China because the majority of the internet users in China is within the age group of 15 years to 35 years and more than 200 million people are internet users in China. It is a near epidemic situation and the Chinese parents are dead worried about the future of their offspring’s.
There are certain organizations that have come forward and devoted themselves to helping the hapless victims of Internet addictions. This organization is called The Center for Internet Addiction and was founded way back in 1995.
Thus the international scenario of Internet addition is beyond the limit what one can think in their wildest dreams. It is of immense medical significance and requires early intervention as soon as symptoms of over indulgence and lack of self-control to stay away from Internet is exhibited.
There are some horrifying consequences of Internet Addition have come to light as a result of clinical researches made in this particular field. Students bunking classes, college students dropping out leaving the courses incomplete, youngsters loosing jobs due to poor performance are to mention a few. There are cases of Internet addicts avoiding social activities and relationships in order to devote more and more time in Internet have raised red flags in clinical psychiatric treatment.
Internet addiction has sowed the seeds of short temperedness, irritability and sudden burst of anger when questioned on their time spent on the net. Leading psychiatrists opine that this should be treated as a serious issue of Public Health.
There are thousand and one avenues that lure an Internet addict. While some may be indulged in mere typing to earn some extra bucks, some to online casinos, other in chat rooms, online shopping playing two or three-dimensional computer games.
There are numerous theories as to why adolescents are so addicted to Internet. One school of thought is that Internet is a medium through one which one can elude reality and it is a form of intoxication like alcohol for them.
