Splicetoday

Digital
Dec 26, 2008, 06:23AM

Un-defining "Internet Addict"

Reputable scientists are arguing the blanket term "Internet addict" is seriously misleading. "CrackBerry" is next on the list.

The blogosphere breathes a sign of relief:

It's like saying someone is a 'language addict' or is 'addicted' to transport. It just makes no sense. It's like saying someone is a 'language addict' or is 'addicted' to transport. It just makes no sense.

Unfortunately, none of the so-called diagnostic scales or indeed, researchers, actually get this point, so it's perfectly possible to be diagnosed with internet addiction if you're putting in a lot of long-stressful hours running a business. If you use the internet to communicate with your employees that is. Unfortunately, none of the so-called diagnostic scales or indeed, researchers, actually get this point, so it's perfectly possible to be diagnosed with internet addiction if you're putting in a lot of long-stressful hours running a business. If you use the internet to communicate with your employees that is.

If, on the other hand, you're putting in a lot of long-stressful hours running a business and you use an alternative medium of communication, then you're not an internet addict. Same motivations, same emotional impact, same psychological effect. But if you use the internet you have a mental illness, and if you don't, well, you don't. If, on the other hand, you're putting in a lot of long-stressful hours running a business and you use an alternative medium of communication, then you're not an internet addict. Same motivations, same emotional impact, same psychological effect. But if you use the internet you have a mental illness, and if you don't, well, you don't.

Discussion
  • This is the smartest article I've read in the past two days. I think some people take pleasure in saying they're an "Internet Addict," as if it's a badge of worthiness.

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  • Hmmm... 10 bucks says a MRI of crack head looks pretty similar to a MRI of an obsessive habitual internet user. Does Splice Today wanna sponsor a study?

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  • Why doesn't the Splice Today comment function allow paragraph breaks to show up? Ahhh...I think I have an internet problem.

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