A study claims internet addiction is rife.

[starrylizard]

Okay, so THIS article is killing me. Found it off science_beta.

Is it just me, or are they completely missing the point that for many people the internet is a very social activity. Calling it an addiction and throwing it in with drug and alcohol abuse seems a little over the top to me. These people really need to have better things to research.

Comments

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Yeah exactly. It's the old thing that if you aren't outside in the sunshine then it's bad.

If you're in a bad mood, you go and do something you like to do to cure it. Yeah and that's bad how? The whole article is pretty ridiculous. It makes so many assumptions. They need a proper survey that asks you to divide up the time you spend amang different activities. IMing vs porn vs gambling vs socialising and talking about hobbies. I think they might be surprised by the responses.

And yeah, the whole sekrit thing is really an online phenomenon. I mean yeah, if you're writing fanfic or whatever, you do tend to do it quietly. So?

[smuffster.livejournal.com]

Well, if I was writing in a physical diary I'd do that in secret too.

It's funny, cause on the one hand we're being told not to get too much sun cause it's bad for us, and the other, don't spend too much time in doors cause people will think your an anti-social freak.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Totally. Plus, if I was writing short stories on paper, which I used to do a lot. You don't go around showing them to many people. Most people just make fun of them or whatever, yet because they are on paper it's ok. If I chat to people and share a hobby that's fine, but once it's online it's bad? If I wander around with my mobile attached to my head, that's okay, but if I email and IM I'm antisocial. I don't get it. *shrugs*

I love the idea, that if I go overseas or move cities, I already know people there. It's lovely. I learn so much. By their standards though, I'm well and truly addicted. *blows raspberries at them*