The Addictive Nature of the Internet

3578 Words8 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Internet addiction and its effect

The Addictive Nature of the Internet

The purpose of this paper is to show the many different ways that people can become addicted to the web (Internet) and to try to explain why. The various aspects of the web, such as the wide range of information, the advanced technology, and alternate ways of communication have contributed to its addictive nature.

People of all ages and backgrounds have become so absorbed in using the web, either through work or play, that they have, in effect, become addicted to using it. Some common types of sites which people just cannot seem to stay away from include chat rooms, dating services, sex, pornography, shopping, and sports.

The prevalence of Internet use and the growing realization that it has become an addictive vice for some has spurned the creation of groups such as Webaholics Anonymous, Interneters Anonymous, Netaholics Anonymous, the Internet Addiction Association, and the Internet Addiction Support Group (IASG). All of these self-help groups can be sought on-line, which is rather ironic, given the topic, but nonetheless the groups seek to aid those addicted to using the Internet. The name, Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) has even been given to this growing phenomenon of Internet addiction.

"Addiction" as defined by Webster's New World Dictionary is "the condition of being addicted (to a habit) or of being an addict." "Addict," on the other hand, is defined as one who has given oneself up to some strong habit. Some may say that being addicted to using the Internet is not a "true" addiction, but according to the Webster definition, Internet addiction can be and is every bit as real and as hard to manage as a drug or alcohol addiction.

Depending on where it is one looks ...

... middle of paper ...

...ng from. Anyone who thinks that they may have a problem or knows someone who does should try to be open and honest about it, and should seek help before the situation becomes out of control. For anyone who reads this who is addicted to the Internet, I wish you the best of luck in controlling the disorder. For anyone else, beware of the possibilities!

Works Cited

"Results of Internet Behaviour Questionnaire." http://www.ifap.bepr.ethz.ch/~egger/ibq/intadd.htm. (April 15, 1997)

"Richard's Web Central - Interneters Anonymous." http://www.itw.com/~rscott/ia.html. (March 20, 1997)

"Self Help & Psychology Magazine Article: Internet Can Be As Addicting As Alcohol, Drugs And Gambling." http://cybertowers.com/selfhelp/articles/internet/intaddic.html.(March 20, 1997)

"Symptoms of Internet Addiction." http://www.addictions.com/internet.htm. (March 20, 1997)

Show More
Related

  • Book Review Of Gerald May's Addiction And Grace

    1101 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are many different definitions in which people provide regarding addiction. May (1988) describes that addiction “is a state of compulsion, obsession, or preoccupation that enslaves a person’s will and desire” (p. 14). Individuals who suffer from addiction provide their time and energy toward other things that are not healthy and safe. The book

    Read More

  • Overcoming Resistance in Organizational Change

    1525 Words  | 4 Pages

    Often times when one hears the word “change” in any aspect of life, they are often, put off, and intimidated by the word itself and the intended implication. This is a normal and understandable reaction for anyone engaging in any type of change. In terms of organizational change, this type of behavior often seen as, but is not limited to pushback, resistance, lack in productivity, turnover, drop in overall customer service, etc by team members. Thus, as organizational leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that any change management implemented is smooth and has lasting benefits; by considering the impact on the organization as a whole and most importantly, the impact it will have on the team members within the

    Read More

  • Management: Prosci's Approach To Change Management

    1101 Words  | 3 Pages

    Change management is an approach to transition individuals, teams, and organizations to a desired future state. It helps the organization to transit from ‘where they are’ to ‘where they want to be’. Change Management is essential as it helps in :

    Read More

  • Is Addiction A Disease Or A Choice Essay

    1474 Words  | 3 Pages

    Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Addiction is normally thought of as drug abuse and alcoholism but people can also be addicted to things such as gambling and sex as well. The controversy on if addiction is a disease or a choice is a continuous debate. Everyone has an opinion on this topic, one side believes it’s a disease, while the other believes it is a choice. Although addiction has been assumed to be a lack of willpower and a weakness, addiction is actually a complex disease that changes the wiring of the brain. Addiction is a brain disease expressed in the form of compulsive behavior (Leshner.) Both devolping

    Read More

  • Greg Beato Internet Addiction

    830 Words  | 2 Pages

    In his article “internet addiction”, published in 2010 by Reason Magazine, Greg Beato tries to show how internet addiction, an excessive behavior brought up by the psychiatrist Ivan Gilbert, is an important issue for the society and why it should be considered as a behavior disorder. He supports his thesis by using a lot of evidence such as graphics, statistics, and researches. Although, Beato’s arguments about the causes of internet addiction and the reasons why it should add to the DSM are mostly true, some of his observations on the future are pessimistic.

    Read More

  • Juvenile Justice

    660 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...re not effective may be due to the cultural differences, making it very difficult to adopt and use the Beijing Rules internationally.

    Read More

  • Organizational Change Within The Police Department

    2008 Words  | 5 Pages

    This paper will be broken down into six sections profiling each critical part of implementing and managing change in an organization. The sections included are; outline for plan creating urgency, the approach to attracting a guiding team, a critique of the organizational profile, the components of change, and how to empower the organization.

    Read More

  • Resistors to Change

    1516 Words  | 4 Pages

    Leadership is about change, but what reactions need to be taken if there are resistors for the change. In every organization there should be some employees who resist the change, but a smart leader is the one who try to come up with a list of resistors before applying the change and try to solve them. Some of the common resistors in most of the organizations are: lack of control, more work to be done and culture acceptance.

    Read More

  • Informative Speech Outline On Addiction

    1008 Words  | 3 Pages

    Main Point: What defines an addiction? According to Psychology Today, “Addiction is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance…. or engages in an activity….that can be pleasurable but the continued use/act of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities, such as work, relationships, or health.” This can range anywhere from drug use to eating disorders, to gambling, to even texting in today’s generation. Shocking to say the least, especially when most people do not even know they are addicted or are an addict until they realize this definition.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay About Internet Addiction

    1412 Words  | 3 Pages

    The internet is an essential tool in everyday life. The age of a person does not matter, because whether they are a teen, an adult, or an elderly person in order to stay in contact with others they will need the internet. However, the internet is dangerously addictive. Some studies say that the internet is not the addiction, but the means of getting to the addiction. The more believable of the two studies are the ones that discuss the internet being the addiction. Curtis stated in 2012 that reports on the brain are showing that people who excessively use the internet show abnormalities similar to people who suffer from substance addiction. Curtis also stated that internet addiction was becoming

    Read More

  • Internet Addiction

    1107 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Greg Beato’s article “Internet Addiction” originally published in august, september 2010 in to Reason magazine he argues that internet addiction is a problem in our society today. Internet addiction should be reported in the Diagnostic and statistic manual of mental disorder (DSM). It is a huge problem, he also says that internet is like narcotic drugs and very addicting. He states that if ones use Google for few minutes only it leads us to spend more than a few minutes on the internet and it turns in to spending hours. Beato refers that University of Maryland did a group study for 24 hour and all the students went crazy without their phones and iPods, one girl admitted that she is an addict. The students were anxious and miserable. He also says that one kid killed his parents because they took away his Xbox. Internet also leads to death of people, therefore it is a problem and we should put it on to the DSM.

    Read More

  • Change Management Case Study

    1745 Words  | 4 Pages

    The change process within any organization can prove to be difficult and very stressful, not only for the employees but also for the management team. Hayes (2014), highlights seven core activities that must take place in order for change to be effective: recognizing the need for change, diagnosing the change and formulating a future state, planning the desired change, implementing the strategies, sustaining the implemented change, managing all those involved and learning from the change. Individually, these steps are comprised of key actions and decisions that must be properly addressed in order to move on to the next step. This paper is going to examine how change managers manage the implementation of change and strategies used

    Read More

  • Change Management Case Study

    2207 Words  | 5 Pages

    On its most fundamental level, change can simply be described as the act of becoming different. In the context of our class we can describe it as monitoring and modifying infrastructures and processes within an entity. Change comes about through necessity or strategy in order for an entity to avoid being “destroyed” or as a means to grow and evolve. These changes are reactions to environmental changes, responding to crisis’s, increased competition, hedging risk, introduction of new technology, or initiated by leadership with a common goal. Many times these entities need to change their way operation through increased efficiency, output, and done with less resources.

    Read More

  • KFC change management analysis

    2123 Words  | 5 Pages

    Change Management is not impossibly difficult. It need detailed planning, including everyone affected, frequent interaction, accomplish a perspicuous target for the change and a method of measuring success, complete the plan, and strengthen the change once it is in place.

    Read More

  • Essay On Solar Panel

    840 Words  | 2 Pages

    Solar panel is made up of solar cells. Earlier solar cells are of low efficiency and large in size but now a day very high efficient solar cells are available. Solar cell prize much higher, it is difficult to afford solar energy.

    Read More

More about The Addictive Nature of the Internet

Open Document