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Computer addiction can be described as the overuse of the computer which continues despite serious negative consequences for personal, social or occupational functions. However, not all people who spend hours each day on the computer are considered addicted. There are many uses for computers and the Internet and in many cases, an individual may spend ６ or more hours in a day on the computer but still not be considered an addict. Therefore, there is no set number of hours that is considered a potential for computer addiction.
But those who are suffering from anxiety and depression caused by stress at work, relationships or financial problems tend to become computer addicts. Some people become addicted mainly because they feel bored with everything and feel like there is nothing else to do.
If one feels an intense desire to go online, play a computer game, or socialize as soon as he wakes up and before he goes to bed, he may have become an addict. Other symptoms include using the computer as the only source of entertainment, lying to his family and friends about the activities that he performs while on the computer. Some addicts possess anxious feelings when wanting to use the computer or knowing that time on the computer is limited. Others may lose track of time while on the computer and spend more time on it than intended. The computer can also be used as a form of escapism from reality.
Excessive computer use may result in the lack of face-to-face social interaction and an increasing amount of time and money on hardware, software and computer-related activities. Computer addiction makes one neglect his work, school, or family obligations. He often fails at repeated efforts to control computer use. So it’s time to seek help for the sake of health.
Counseling (心理辅导) or therapy can focus on treating underlying mental health conditions that caused the addiction such as anxiety, depression, social trauma or other conditions. Many different options for group or community support are available to assist those addicts. Just getting out and interacting with others can be very rewarding to the computer addict. Another method is to focus on new interests. For instance, a computer user might take part in a new gym membership, spend time at the movies with friends or go out for a walk. If a computer user does feel that he must go onto the computer, consider talking himself out of the computer use unless it is absolutely necessary. If he does go on the computer, he must make a plan for what he will do when on the computer, how long it will take and what time you will be off of the computer.
Computer Addiction |
Introduction |
●Computer addiction refers to the overuse of the computer(71) of serious negative consequences. ●There is no strict(72) to the time spent on the computer as to computer addiction. |
(73) ▲ |
●Being anxious and depressed because of the stress at work, relationships or financial problems. ●Showing no(74) in anything except the computer. |
Symptoms |
●Having a strong desire to go online whether before going to bed or after waking u p. ●Having no sources of entertainment (75 ) than the computer. ●Feeling anxious when knowing that time on the computer is limited. ●Failing to manage their time on computer once they are (76) to it. |
Effects |
●Spending less time on face-to-face interaction than that on the computer. ●Paying little (77) to his work, school, or family responsibilities. ●Being unable to control computer use in (78) of repeated efforts. |
Treatments |
●Seeking counseling, therapy or support of a group or a community. ●Interacting with others face-to-face and having attention (79) on new interests. ●Minimizing the amount of time spent on computer and making a specific plan if going on the computer is a (80) . |