Internet Addiction

[The Cartoon]

I'm starting to worry that I have a problem. I am spending most of my time on my computer and I might be starting to neglect my family. I read this (http://www.warningsigns.info/computer_addiction.htm) and I fit into almost all of those categories. Does anyone know how to overcome Internet Addiction?

[JAG]

Unplug your computer and put it away for a while? That might help.:shrug:

[The Cartoon]

Unplug your computer and put it away for a while? That might help.:shrug:
I'm not sure if I could bear to be away from Toon Zone for too long :sweat: Besides, I'm right in the middle of Survivor.

[Cartoonlover]

I'm sorry, but I don't know. Try to stay away a couple days, ("the three day hump" according to Morgan Spurlock) that often does it. Good luck!

[The Cartoon]

I'm sorry, but I don't know. Try to stay away a couple days, ("the three day hump" according to Morgan Spurlock) that often does it. Good luck!
I would do it for a couple days, but I really can't. I seriously don't know if I could stay away even for 1 day.

[TomorrowPerfume]

I don't suffer from internet addiction - I enjoy every minute of it!

[lemonhead75]

Make a listof things to do not on the computer. A LONG list. THen do stuff on da list.

[Rook]

Make a listof things to do not on the computer. A LONG list. THen do stuff on da list.

Except when you go to a work place that actually involves you using a computer. Or like me, taking a night shift with nothing going on, so all i have IS the internet and cable. The world is going the way of ghost in the shell.

Wanna get away from the internet? go camping or join a sport.

[Ishtar]

I used to have this problem to an extent, still do sometimes. I find the best thing to do is to try and see what your friends are up to. Maybe they wouldn't mind doing something with you? Another solution is to see about attending any afterschool activities and events. You may have feelings of internet withdrawl, but trust me once you have fun with your friends, you'll start to care less about just sitting by the computer all the time. This strategy especially works if you end up living on a college campus.

[Michael24]

I sometimes struggle with getting myself away from the computer for awhile. I'll tell myself, "Okay, just a couple more minutes, then I'll go do something else." But then I get distracted by a series of forum posts or I'll see a reference to something and decide to look into it. Or I'll get an email that requires me to look up something elsewhere to get a bit of information in order to respond. It can be frustrating.

But sometimes I tell myself "That's it, go away." I'll watch some TV for awhile and tell myself, "No rush. The websites and forums aren't going anywhere. That thread you're following may get a few new replies, but it's not going to bury itself off the front page and be impossible to find again." Maybe I'll throw on a two-hour movie to make sure I stay away for awhile, or watch a few episodes of a show on DVD.

Lately I've gotten back into hockey, so a few evenings a week I have a good reason for getting away from the Internet for about three hours. Then maybe afterwards I'll watch a movie then or play some video games with my brother, or just hang out in his room listening to music or shooting the breeze.

As much as I love spending time on the Internet doing whatever, I do welcome those times I can get away from it for awhile. Especially when I take a trip to Southern California, as that ensures I have no access to the Internet at all. It's actually nice to go 2-3 days without checking emails, forums, etc. Sure, when I get back home I have some catching up to do (unless I've informed my frequent emailers of my being gone and they don't email at all during that time), but for those couple of days, it's nice to just feel "free." :)

[Plo_Koon]

I would take a long break from the computer. If I had this problem I would ask some one to hid the internet cable for about 3 days to a week.

[DarthGonzo]

If your computer obsession is effecting your life in a negative way then it's obviously time to shut the computer off, step back, go outside, get some fresh air and find something else more productive to do.

[Cartoonlover]

If your computer obsession is effecting your life in a negative way then it's obviously time to shut the computer off, step back, go outside, get some fresh air and find something else more productive to do.

Great advice. You like sports, right? Play like there's no tomorrow (indoor, it is winter) As for Survivor, wait until it's over,then log out for a while. I just beat this problem, and that's what I did.

[sun]

I'm starting to worry that I have a problem. I am spending most of my time on my computer and I might be starting to neglect my family. I read this (http://www.warningsigns.info/computer_addiction.htm) and I fit into almost all of those categories. Does anyone know how to overcome Internet Addiction?

I guess you need to ask yourself how much time you spend. Then, you may need to step back and away from the computer. If you can't, then you really do have a problem. Oh, and you are not alone. Many of us have the same problem. Good luck

[The Cartoon]

Thanks for all the help guys. I managed to stay off the computer for a couple of days for the holidays and I think that is a step in the right direction. I am going to try to slowly spend less time on it and hopefully it will become easier over time.

[KurtmanJP]

Yeah, I'm pretty much addicted to my computer as well. Then again, there's hardly any sidewalk on the street I live and I can't go for very long walks.

[HG Revolution]

Hmm, how do I stack up.

A demonstrated "loss of control" when trying to stop or limit the amount of time on the computer. (Breaking promises to self or others. Promising to quit or cut down and not being able to do so) - I haven't really set limits, and I get off when told to, so I guess no
Being dishonest or minimizing the extent of the time you stay on the computer, or covering up or being dishonest about what activities you participate in when on the computer. - unless clearing my history counts as "covering up", no
Negative consequences experienced by the computer user or his/her friends or family as a direct result of time or activities spent on the computer. - no

Participation in high risk or normally unacceptable behaviors when using the computer. Compromising your morals and values based on the opportunity to remain anonymous and protected on the computer. (a good test for this is to ask yourself if your spouse, partner or family would approve of what you were doing on the computer) - nothing "high risk", though I curse more online than I do IRL so that might fall under "unacceptable behaviors"

An overdeveloped sense of importance for the computer in ones life. Defending your right to use the computer as much as desired, regardless of the fact that people in your life are feeling left out and neglected. (denial of the problem and justification; not being able to hear or feel what the other people are saying regarding your computer behavior) - it might be too important to me, but I do put family above computer on my priorities

Mixed feelings of euphoria (a "rush"), combined with feelings of guilt brought on by either the inordinate amount of time spent on the computer or the abnormal behavior acted out while using the computer. - yeah, this applies to me a bit
Feelings of depression or anxiety when something or someone shortens your time or interrupts your plans to use the computer.- anxiety and depression no, boredom and disappointment sometimes

Preoccupation with the computer and computer activities when you are not using the computer (thinking about the computer and its activities when doing something else; i.e. having a family dinner, working on project deadline etc.)- sometimes

Finding yourself using the computer at times when you are feeling uncomfortable, irritated, or sad about something happening in your life. ( feeling uncomfortable in your relationship, so you will self medicate and "hide out" on the computer) Using time on the computer to become externally focused outside yourself as a way to avoid facing what is happening in your life, and avoiding feeling the appropriate feelings inside yourself. (self medicating)- I use it when I'm feeling bad, though often to vent my feelings rather than avoid them

Experiencing financial concerns or problems in your life as a result of money being spent on computer hardware, computer on-line charges, or any other costs associated with computers. (Spending money on computer related items which should have been allocated to other normal living expenses)- no
I might be a bit of a borderline case. Being on the computer a lot hasn't really hurt the rest of my life in any way, so on one hand it isn't a problem, but at the same time it might be because I don't have much going on in my life. Using the computer so much feels like merely a spaceholder for something more that hasn't come along yet, though I'm not going to miss it at all once I find that something.

[Megaman X]

Nothing wrong about being on the computer a lot, heck my computer is on most of the time on the day. Of course it just depends on what you like to do, for me as a example I like to just relax then do what most teens in general do since school really does tire me out with everything. Of course there is limits of being on the computer to much and doing other things such as getting some fresh air or working out or things like that.

I use to go running a lot but just from my P.E. class(my teacher is the Cross Country coach so.. heh..) and the fact that my area has way to much construction, it kind of ruins the runs I like to do in general.

[Master Moron]

I might be a bit of a borderline case. Being on the computer a lot hasn't really hurt the rest of my life in any way, so on one hand it isn't a problem, but at the same time it might be because I don't have much going on in my life. Using the computer so much feels like merely a spaceholder for something more that hasn't come along yet, though I'm not going to miss it at all once I find that something.

I feel the same. I fit some of those questions, but that's mainly just because the economy sucks and I can't find a job. Honestly, if I found a job I'd probably visit this forum a lot less, if not stop it completely. But, I don't have a job, so I'm incredibly bored. I can't even work out right now because my gym is closed for the holidays. So, the time that I'm not spending sleeping, eating, or looking for a job is going to be wasted either by watching TV or doing useless crap on the internet. Of course, I don't have to spend my time on the internet posting on message boards, I should be spending more time going to websites that teach you useful things, like learning Spanish. Honestly, how many minutes did I just waste writing this post? Pretty pathetic.

[Czar Gato]

Keeping yourself occupied might help, especially if you socialize off the 'net. I've noticed I have a tendency of spending hours on the internet when I'm bored, so I just try to keep myself busy, mostly by leaving the house and going out with friends.

[Comics_the_QB]

I'm not sure if I could bear to be away from Toon Zone for too long :sweat: Besides, I'm right in the middle of Survivor.

That is why I am promising myself to limit the amount of time I spend on TZ after Survivor. My eye vision is terrible and I know what is causing it. I just can't help but to spend time on the computer.

I'll make sure not to spend as much time on the computer come next year.

[Master Moron]

That is why I am promising myself to limit the amount of time I spend on TZ after Survivor. My eye vision is terrible and I know what is causing it. I just can't help but to spend time on the computer.

I'll make sure not to spend as much time on the computer come next year.

Wait, being on the internet too often can cause eye damage?

[Comics_the_QB]

Wait, being on the internet too often can cause eye damage?

Well mostly eyestrain (http://www.office-ergo.com/12things1.htm). But my bad vision doesn't help. :shrug: