Internet Addiction: How Big Is It?

Internet addiction is upon us... how big is the problem?

Some people are suggesting it is as high as 10% of online users.

News has recently hit the blogosphere of the first internet addiction residential treatment center opening in Washington to address the problem. See video below.

There are some online internet addiction quizzes to help people assess if they have the problem. Though in truth, there are likely millions of us who it may not be accurate to label "addicts," but who often let these technologies run our lives, checking our email and voicemails non-stop through the day, people who feel as if the technologies are using them instead of them using the technologies.

In fact, in one study of 6500 business travelers, 35% said they would choose their PDA's or Blackberry's over their spouses.

My writing has always focused less on how to relinquish these technologies and more how to use them consciously and skillfully. Like all, or at least most, addictions much of it comes from a loss of connection to that place of well-being and belonging inside us, that nothing outside of ourselves can ever fill.

However, since the technologies are likely here to stay for the foreseeable future, the challenge for most of us is to discover how to live mindfully amidst our very connected lives -- and how to use the great technologies of our age creatively rather than habitually.

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Soren Gordhamer works with individuals and groups on living with greater mindfulness and purpose in our technology-rich age. He is the author of Wisdom 2.0: Ancient Secrets for the Creative and Constantly Connected (HarperOne, 2009).

Website: http://www.sorengordhamer.com

Follow Soren Gordhamer on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SorenG

Comments

[Jorge Fiffe]

I think i might have a problem.

[Soaplady]

I am 'addicted' to getting news and current events. I don't watch TV, would rather get them online. I love being informed. That's what the internet does for me. I don't know if it is a true "addiction" or not.

[Patterman]

Internet addiction is very real. I lost my wonderful job because of it.

[Pippen]

I have an addiction to online news and events. I don't trust television as a news source medium. News is like a puzzle that the reader must piece together after consuming all that's available in information. No one can do that without the internet.

Without the internet as a resource we're ignorant of events and people.

To not be addicted to the internet is either a lie or a confession to being blissfully ignorant.

Blackberries, Iphones etc... you can have them, they are not addictions just toys for adults who need something to do with their hands. iphones, email etc.. is all still quite new to our society so ignorant people use these new toys to attempt to set themselves apart from others and to channel a hot line of what they indulge. It's not the toy its the indulgence.

I dream of a day when I can ride a bus or train or a plane and not over hear some gadfly bitches work related rant about how busy she is while stuffing vacation luggage in the over head. Holding a cell phone to your head is a beacon alert to others that you bore yourself so profoundly that you need rescuing from whoever will answer their phone. And I have a news flash, you bore us too.

[BlackYowe]

I have come clean, I do have an Addiction to the Net. I am trying to break away!

[robbyJ]

I'm still in that denial stage of my internet addiction. How about you?

[Ed Howes]

I would be troubled if I thought my addiction was permanent but I know it is not. I am currently balancing an imbalance with a different imbalance. In a few weeks or months, I will create a balanced day to day. As it is at this moment, I am a happy camper.