Computer AddictionBy: Pamela Gayosso

What is an Addiction?

A state in which an organism engages in a compulsive behavior

Computer addiction, or more broadly computer overuse, is excessive or compulsive use of computers that interferes with daily life. It can also cause social disorders and can also cause sleep deprivation. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM) criteria for substance dependency have been used to argue that some individuals suffer from computer addiction. However, the existence of "computer addiction" is currently debated.

From Wikipedia:

Addictions youtube Facebook Myspace Online gambling World of warcraft Chat rooms second life

How big of a problem is

it?

>2 Million US subscribers to World of Warcraft alone •Many new games emerging, some targeting younger children •Players report playing 23 hours per weekon average. • 50% of players self-report being “addicted” •70% report having played 10+ hours straight •18% report playing on-line caused them financial, health, relational or work problems •Younger the player, greater self-report of addiction •On-line limits imposed by government of China

Percentage of kids and teens that are addicted

30%

addicted

kids and teens addiction free

Symptoms

You have mixed feelings of well-being and guilt while at the computer.

You lose track of time while on the computer.

You neglect friends, family and/or responsibilities in order to be online.

You find yourself lying to your boss and/or family about the amount of time spent on the computer

You feel anxious, depressed, or irritable when your computer time is shortened or interrupted.

You use the computer repeatedly as an outlet when sad or upset

When you are not on the computer, you think about it frequently and anticipate when you will use it again.

Parenting Problem?

Yes, but parents lack tools

Parents Attempts at Controlling

Child Abuses Computer

Parents removekeyboard/mouse/powe

r cord/routeror install parental control software

Child’s obtains hardware or

defeats parental control software

How to Help Computer Obsessed Friends

Be a good role model. Manage the computer use in your own life well.

Introduce them to some other people who handle their computer use sensibly.

Get them involved in some non-computer related fun.

Talk to your friends about your concerns with their computer use.

Support their desire for change if they think they have a problem.

Encourage them to seek professional counseling.

Help http://www.computeraddiction.com/ http://www.intervention.com/ http://www.techaddiction.ca/ http://computeraddiction.org/ http://www.addictioninfo.org/articles/

487/1/Computer-addiction-or-just-modern-life/Page1.html

Computer Addiction A problem for many young people

Resource Page

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/addict

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_addiction

http://www.wowprivateserver.info/wowcheap.jpg

http://www.physiotherapy-clinic.org.uk/img/common/facebook-logo.png

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZzLZ56Jp-k

http://www.textually.org/tv/archives/2010/07/30/youtube-logo(2).jpeg

http://www.bendingaugust.com/images/Myspace_Logo.jpg

https://wiki-land.wikispaces.com/file/view/second_life_logo.jpg/142026781/second_life_logo.jpg

http://www.stjamesame.org/files/HeaderImages/Default/chat%20room%20logo.jpg

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/09/13/f-videogames-addiction-health.html