Online addiction

on-line /ˈɒnˈlaɪn, ˈɔn-/ [on-lahyn, awn-]
–adjective
1.
operating under the direct control of, or connected to, a main computer.
2.
connected by computer to one or more other computers or networks, as through a commercial electronic information service or the Internet.
3.
of or denoting a business that transmits electronic information over telecommunications lines: an on-line bookstore.
4.
available or operating on a computer or computer network: an on-line dictionary.
5.
by means of or using a computer:on-line shopping.
6.
Radio. (of a network) supplying affiliated stations with all or a substantial part of their programming.
7.
Television. of or pertaining to the final editing of a videotaped program.
8.
done or accomplished while in operation or active service: on-line maintenance.
9.
located on major routes or rail lines: on-line industries. –adverb
10.
with or through a computer, esp. over a network.
Also, online, on line.

[Origin: 1945–50]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.


ad·dic·tion /əˈdɪkʃən/ [uh-dik-shuhn]
–noun
the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

[Origin: 1595–1605;]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.


People have formed habits around communication for eons:
- written letters, sealed with wax and distributed via horsemen
- telegram
- telephone
- television
- cellular/mobile/satellite phone
- BlackBerry

People have formed habits around looking at things for eons:
- bordellos
- strip joints
- libraries
- casinos

There are 22,300,000 hits on Google for "online addiction."

There is a Center for Internet Addiction Recovery.

They have an Internet Addiction Test (IAT):

To assess your level of addiction, answer the following questions using this scale:
1 = Rarely 2 = Occasionally 3 = Frequently 4 = Often 5 = Always.

1. How often do you find that you stay on-line longer than you intended?

2. How often do you neglect household chores to spend more time on-line?

3. How often do you prefer the excitement of the Internet to intimacy with your partner?

4. How often do you form new relationships with fellow on-line users?

5. How often do others in your life complain to you about the amount of time you spend on-line?

6. How often do your grades or school work suffer because of the amount of time you spend on-line?

7. How often do you check your e-mail before something else that you need to do?

8. How often does your job performance or productivity suffer because of the Internet?

9. How often do you become defensive or secretive when anyone asks you what you do on-line?

10. How often do you block out disturbing thoughts about your life with soothing thoughts of the Internet?

11. How often do you find yourself anticipating when you will go on-line again?

12. How often do you fear that life without the Internet would be boring, empty, and joyless?

13. How often do you snap, yell, or act annoyed if someone bothers you while you are on-line?

14. How often do you lose sleep due to late-night log-ins?

15. How often do you feel preoccupied with the Internet when off-line, or fantasize about being on-line?

16. How often do you find yourself saying "just a few more minutes" when on-line?

17. How often do you try to cut down the amount of time you spend on-line and fail?

18. How often do you try to hide how long you've been on-line?

19. How often do you choose to spend more time on-line over going out with others?

20. How often do you feel depressed, moody, or nervous when you are off-line, which goes away once you are back on-line?