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| Home | Features | DMA® Info | About | Vol 28 Issue 5 October 2003 |
Computer Addiction: A Primerby Jerry Wonderly, Regular Columnist We've all been there whiling away the hours: A great new PC game or complex productivity software, chat rooms, email, instant messaging, downloading MP3s, and surfing, surfing, surfing the world wide web. Most of us keep our computer usage under control and within reason, but for some, it becomes an addiction. In this month's article, I'll try to hit the highlights of some of the signs, symptoms, and remedies of computer addiction so that we can be more vigilant of our own habits as well as those of our loved ones. Computer obsession is a new phenomenon that so‑called professionals cannot agree even exists After all, this is the Technology Age and "computering" is not a single, isolated experience but rather several different tasks that we are involved in, many out of necessity. There are plenty of jokes about being a PC junkie but most of us just laugh them off. Some say it is merely a compulsion, not an addiction. By definition, a compulsion is one in which no harm is done; while an addiction is one where harm is done I guess we need to judge for ourselves and discuss the circumstances with our loved ones. From teenagers to the geriatric crowd, no segment of our culture is immune. For the shy, inhibited soul, chatting online offers them an ability to easily interact "socially" going so far as allowing them to create fictitious personalities and the like. For others, it may be the glitz of the net: the colorful animations, the variety of content, a spellbinding game, and even online gambling. Online game playing is reportedly to blame for many college kids flunking out. This Information Age is all new to us and understandably interesting and exciting ‑ and tempting. The symptoms of computer addiction are: impatience while interacting with "real" people, irritability when not playing a video game, withdrawal, emptiness when not online, failing grades, over‑thinking of your computer when you're not using it, believing your best friends are strangers online, strained relationships with family members, spending an inordinate amount of your monthly budget on computers or accessories, and lack of control of computer time. Now, here's the really disturbing part: Most of the support groups that deal with computer addiction are, unbelievably, online! In my research for this article, I didn't see any advice on treatment anywhere online; not that I searched for hours and hours either. Perhaps our culture is in complete denial. Maybe it's still too new a condition. Or, maybe the professionals don't want to give away any advice they want to be paid for all of it. Years from now, a whole movement will probably look back and ask why we didn't see it and do anything. It's not unlike the way we look back on previous generations who polluted our environment so badly. In conclusion, many of us know at least one person whom we suspect is a computer addict. Since there is so little information out there regarding treatment, we're on our own to handle it. Good old midwestern common sense should do it. So, if you have a family member or a loved one who you think is going overboard with their computer life, say something, discuss it. Down the road, they may look back and really thank you for caring. |
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A
native Daytonian, Jerry has been involved with computers since the mid-80's.
"I cut my teeth on CP/M Plus." He says that 'computering' can be very
expensive but doesn't have to be. "Ask questions. Think cheap. Shop around.
And don't assume your computer needs to be traded in. I'd rather put my
money in my 401(k) than spend it on a complete new system and software."| DMA® Home | Computerfest® | Copyright Statement | ||
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