INTERNET ADDICTION AND HEALTH
Learn how the internet effects the health of children
and find out what limits parents should provide for them.
How Internet Addiction Is Affecting Lives
The Internet -- millions of people rely on it for everyday tasks.
But when is the line crossed between average use and addiction? An
article published in Perspectives in Psychiatric Care states, "The
Internet has properties that for some individuals promote addictive
behaviors and pseudo-intimate interpersonal relationships." Nurse
practitioners will soon find themselves faced with the issues of
"internet addicts" and their inability to get offline.
While not yet defined as a true addiction, many are suffering the
consequences of obsession with the online world, unable to control
their use. From gaming to sexual and emotional relationships, the
internet is taking over lives. More and more people will be
confronted with consequences such as divorce and physical symptoms
which will force them to seek both medical and psychological
treatment.
Online marital infidelity (cybersex) can lead to divorce and harm
personal relationships. Individuals who seek out sexual partners
online also appear to be at higher risk for sexually transmitted
disease. Furthermore, such behaviors can lead to cybersexual
addiction. Previous studies have reported that "Approximately 9
million people, or 15 percent of Internet users, accessed one of the
top adult Web sites in a 1-month period."
Some physical symptoms include "cyber shakes," dry eyes, carpal
tunnel syndrome and headaches. "A focus on the computer and lack of
attention to daily reality is indicative of poor judgment and
results on lowered grades in school, job loss, and indebtedness."
Recognizing this as an addiction will allow for appropriate
treatment. Subsequently, therapists will be faced with how to treat
such technological addictions and their associated issues.