Internet addiction: is it a clinical disorder?

Do you think internet addiction is a clinical disorder? I have read that China is the fist nation to declare so. In a Rehabilitation Center in China teenagers are put through deprogramming therapy to relieve from internet addiction. 

I think the world is getting into that direction and we will soon have a name for the so-called internet addiction, along with the phone usage where people can't seem to just put their cell phone down.

Our society seems to like to be connected all the time, either being online, talk and text to working. There should be a clinical name for those addicted to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter too :)

So finally, they declared it as a disorder, no wonder in that. People are very much interested in talking about addiction to smoking, drinking and all, but when it comes to technology and stuff, at least, few of them have the notion that it is all good. In my opinion, anything more than the required amount should be considered as an obsession. So, yes internet addiction can be considered as a clinical disorder.

So finally, they declared it as a disorder, no wonder in that. People are very much interested in talking about addiction to smoking, drinking and all, but when it comes to technology and stuff, at least, few of them have the notion that it is all good. In my opinion, anything more than the required amount should be considered as an obsession. So, yes internet addiction can be considered as a clinical disorder.

Anything in excess is bad. I myself was addicted to internet a few years back. I was on the net the whole day. But I did not have any problem in getting rid of the addiction. I am so occupied now that I do not get time to even think about browsing the internet for anything and everything. 

But I still feel that browsing the internet is very interesting and anyone can become addicted to it. Whether it can be considered a clinical disorder, I am not so sure about it.

In India too Internet addiction is officially recognised as a clinical disorder. There is at least one rehabilitation centre in Pune that I know of, treats patients to be cured of this brand new, technological affliction and they compromise mostly of teenagers who addicted to gaming.

In India too Internet addiction is officially recognised as a clinical disorder. There is at least one rehabilitation centre in Pune that I know of, treats patients to be cured of this brand new, technological affliction and they compromise mostly of teenagers who addicted to gaming.

Usage of anything in excess is bad.  It is true with internet usage also. An overload of activities and games can change the natural actions of the brain. Other than Pune, I have heard that there are Internet de-addiction centers opened in Delhi, Bangalore and are also expected in other major cities. 

Internet addiction is spreading like wildfire in our society, especially among kids. The interesting thing is that even educated parents are not aware of such a danger. Actually teachers and parents could play a vital role in preventing this phenomenon. Parents should take ownership of computers and other gadgets. Children should not be allowed to use computers for a long time. In some countries exposing children for more than two hours is a crime and parents could be penalized for that.

Parents should not keep computer in kids room. It should be kept at a common place which is visible for all members of the family. But in the changing technology scenario like wireless dongles and tablets, it is quite impossible to put a proper control.

Its more like excessive habit than clinical disorder. China may have declared such thing, but I am not sure on it. It is not like we need any kind of medicine to stop use of internet in our life. Internet has become part of life now. But youngsters are using it excessively. If we put limitation from starting then it can be avoid.

If you become addicted to the internet there are a lot of problem that can result, just like an excess of anything. You begin to use your eyes too much and thinking becomes a nasty habit. Worst of all is thinking about thinking...hmmm, lol. But there are no disorders in the world of reality as it is an expression of ourselves as humans. The more you start to categorize things the more you put things into boxes which can lead t a very unfulfilled life.

Last summer, we went to one of Nordic countries for the purpose of recreation and vising museums. We got a neighbor at our hotel, his room was just one door next to us. I understood accidentally, he was really addicted to internet and computer games. During the whole week, he was usually watching movie programs, playing computer games online something about 12 hours per day.

    I do not know exactly how much hours per day we are recommended to use internet and computers or mobile phones, However I think, this new technologies should not affect normal life of individuals inappropriately. :exclamation: