US full of Internet addicts: study

Sojiita · October 17th, 2006, 10:11 PM

US full of Internet addicts: study Tue Oct 17, 2:11 PM ET

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - The United States could be rife with Internet addicts as clinically ill as alcoholics, an unprecedented study released suggested.

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine in Silicon Valley said their telephone survey indicated more than one of every eight US residents showed at least one sign of "problematic Internet use."

The findings backed those of previous, less rigorous studies, according to Stanford.

Most disturbing was the discovery that some people hid their Internet surfing, or went online to cure foul moods in ways that mirrored alcoholics using booze, according to the study's lead author, Elias Aboujaoude.

"In a sense, they're using the Internet to self-medicate," Aboujaoude said. "And obviously something is wrong when people go out of their way to hide their Internet activity."

According to preliminary research, the typical Internet addict was a single, college-educated, white male in his 30s, who spends approximately 30 hours a week on non-essential computer use.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061017...RpBHNlYwM3NTc-
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*Well thank God I am not in my thirties!! (therefore this study does not apply to me at all obviously!!

)*

I need some self-medication right now anyway..and how does anyone define 'non-essential'? This study is full of crap! (it is much more than 1 outta 8)

darksithbunny · October 17th, 2006, 10:31 PM

Yes, and deviate perverts who prey on innocent children and serial killers. You don't hear too much about that in other countries. Me thinks it's in the water here.

Sojiita · October 17th, 2006, 11:04 PM

^^they are there..we just don't hear about it as much in other countries. Look at the sex capitals..Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, etc. As bad as people going there for sex with kids are the adults there who are tolerating/peddling their kids and future for some bucks.

AliceInWonderland · October 18th, 2006, 02:00 AM

Quote:

US full of Internet addicts: study

yeah makes sense; its aLL i DO AT work

SammysMom · October 18th, 2006, 03:31 AM

Hey I aint no addict. I can give it up anytime I want

. Hold on a sec I just got a new email and an instant message HEHEHEHE

HWBL · October 18th, 2006, 04:49 AM

I wonder how they measure this. I don't know about you guys, but I have a cable internet connection, so as soon as I turn on the computer, internet is automatically on as well. I might be doing some reports, or work with my photo editing program, but internet is buzzing in the background even while I'm not surfing......
Computer on = on-line with a cable connection.......

moomies · October 18th, 2006, 04:57 AM

Quote:

telephone survey indicated more than one of every eight US residents showed at least one sign of "problematic Internet use.

The researcher(s) prolly just asked specifically how many hours you spend daily on the internet and about your online activities/behaviours etc.

travelbug · October 18th, 2006, 08:58 AM

Well, I think I have a problem in that I am on here more than I would like to be. I could get a lot more done if I didn't have such easy access to the internet. The basic stuff gets done...grocery shopping, laundry, general cleaning, feeding the family...but I could work on that scrapbook I haven't touched in 2 years, or organize my storage area, or clean the house more...really there's a lot of stuff that gets neglected.

The main thing I could work on is my social life. It's just so much easier to relate to people on the internet rather than try to go to playgroups with a bunch of Stepford moms. Been there, done that, and it didn't work out too great.

Butterfly · October 18th, 2006, 09:35 AM

Hi my name is:

Butterfly
Buttefly 99
Nikki
Ladynicole99
Pseudo Queen
Salty
Gritted Teeth

And I have an Internet addiction; it is so baadd, that I can’t remember all my handles or all the sites I’m a member of. PLEASE HELP ME! *shakes*

Banshee · October 18th, 2006, 10:11 AM

I think that if you're a lazy or procrastinating person by nature, you'll find a way, internet or no. I've gone without internet for periods of time and I watch TV or read a book instead. Nonetheless, the time is still wasted and it's still a form of escapism.

SammysMom · October 19th, 2006, 01:56 AM

Love it Butterfly

KD · October 19th, 2006, 03:31 AM

I use it as escapism, I know I do. However, I'll leave it on and make dinner, fold laundry, whatever, then come back. Also, I don't watch TV, just some sports, probably 3 hours a week, so I can rationalize it!