The Internet is a versatile and powerful communication tool that has changed the way we think about computers. However, for some people it has become a way to escape from reality and avoid contact with people. It offers people a chance to have electronic contact but avoid intimacy and remain anonymous. Internet usage can become as addictive as any other drug, and can be used to enable gambling, pornography, and other addictions. There are websites that are devoted to discussions about this illness (like this one).

Understanding Internet and computer addiction

If somebody is experiencing problems in meeting his/her commitments because computer usage is occupying too much time it is a sign that there is a computer addiction. For example a high school student might spend too much time playing computer games to be able to complete homework assignments. Or a husband might spend his entire evening and not come to bed until late in the morning because he is engaging in Internet porn and online sex.

The Internet offers a great many ways to spend time. It is a wealth of useful (and useless) information that can engross a person for hours. The Internet is a place to listen to music, browse shops and auction sites, play games, and catch up with friends. Many people use the Internet so how do we decide who might have an internet addiction? As with other addictions we say that a person has an internet addiction if he/she uses the Internet to the point where it adversely affects his/her life. If a person is having problems at work, marriage, or other areas then the Internet is a problem. Problem Internet use or computer addiction is a disease like any other and can be treated in specialist rehab centers.

Recognizing the signs

A computer addict has a very similar experience of addiction that other addicts have. Here is a short list of items that might help you to decide if you or a loved one has a computer addiction:

* Do you ever feel guilty while you are using the computer but also feel a sense of well-being?

* Do you lose track of time when you are on the computer and spend longer than you intend to?
* Have you ever wanted to cut back on your internet or computer use but found you cannot?
* Have you ever neglected friends, family, or responsibilities in order to be online?
* Have you lied to anybody about how much time you spend on the computer?
* Do you feel anxious, depressed, or irritable when you are not on the computer?
* Do you use the computer as an outlet when you are sad, upset, or for sexual gratification?
* Have you engaged in relationships with strangers that you met over the internet?
* Have you suffered financial unmanageability as a result of shopping or gambling online?

Health problems associated with computer addiction

A computer addiction can lead to certain physical and medical problems:

* Repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome are relatively common. This results in a persistent pain in your hands especially when you move them.
* Dry eyes
* Back, shoulder, and neck aches
* Problems relating to poor diet
* Neglecting hygiene
* Insomnia and disturbed sleep patterns

Recovering from internet addiction

As with other addictions overcoming denial and acknowledging that there is a problem is key to starting the recovery process. Following this the computer addict should identify specific problem areas and start working out a plan to modify the behaviour. Matching the time spent on the computer with an equal amount of time spent in face-to-face activity is a good way to start this process. A computer addict should identify other areas of his/her life that need attention and develop new coping skills. Problems with shyness, anger management, problem solving, and assertiveness should all be addressed.

A computer addict should seek professional advice and be assessed for co-occurring disorders like depression and anxiety. These problems might need to be medicated. A computer or internet addict should also look for local support groups. An online group is offered by the Center for internet addiction Recovery.

A specialist in the field, Dr. David Greenfield, suggests the following strategies to try and manage excessive Internet use before it becomes a problem:

* Take a holiday away from using technology
* Start a new hobby that doesn't involve technology
* Start an exercise program
* Watch less television
* Talk about your life with friends and family
* Join a support group and develop new friendships
* Talk about your overuse of the Internet
* Consciously choose to shorten your Internet sessions

You can read more about these by clicking this link.

How do porn sites maintain their grip on users?

Internet porn is not generally illegal and different countries have different laws. Certain material that is illegal in one country might be easily accessible on Internet sites based in another. This makes it possible for an Internet user to be exposed to a wide range of material.

The Internet is often criticised for how easy it makes porn to access. Hard-core sexual images catering to fetishists are easy to obtain. Adolescent males are particularly at risk of discovering sexual content that is developmentally inappropriate for teens. Where once a teenager might have had access to soft porn they now have ready access to deviant or violent sexual content which can impact on the development of their sexuality.

The online porn industry is often accused of using under-handed techniques to promote their websites. They used to send unsolicited sexually explicit material to peoples email addresses until American law changed to make it an offense to make such material available to minors. Porn sites nowadays use a number of "black hat" techniques to trick users to visit their sites and make it difficult to leave. They also install malicious software that redirects users to porn sites or displays sexually explicit information to users. Although not all porn websites resort to such devious behaviour the industry generally has a poor reputation.

Protecting your teen or child from online porn
* Prepare your child by talking about potential on-line dangers
* Spend time with your child online and model responsible surfing behaviour
* Ask your child about which websites he/she visits and find out what is available on them
* Keep the computer in a common area of the house where it can be seen
* Use blocking software and parental controls (example free software is available)
* Install anti-virus products (example available free here) and keep it updated
* Monitor which chat rooms your child visits - sex offenders often use chat rooms to groom vulnerable children
* Check that other computers your child has access to are responsibly monitored and protected

More information:
American FBI website (click here),
Pornography: Tips for Parents, and
Tracking Where Children have been online

Help for adults:

Adults can develop an obsessive relationship with pornography that eventually replacing relationships with real people. There are two online questionnaires that will help you to assess your addiction to internet porn or cybersex:

Pornography becomes an obsessive relationship with fantasy objects. Because real people cannot compete with fantasy, pornography ultimately interferes with—and may even replace—genuine relationships. Cybersex involves online chat rooms and online sexual encounters, and generally includes several aspects of pornography. Two online questionnaires can help you more objectively assess your addiction to internet porn or to cybersex:

Porn Addiction Questionnaire (from Self Help: Overcoming Pornography Addiction)

Cybersex Addiction Questionnaire (Rob Weiss, M.A., from the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health)

Once you have come to terms with the fact that you have a problem you are ready to be helped to overcome the addiction. There are many resources available (like this one) to help you develop better relationships with people and live without pornography. There are 12-step groups that specialize in recovering from cybersex or Internet porn addiction. Look for Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) meetings in your area.