According to a study by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine, one out of eight Americans exhibited at least one possible sign of problematic internet use. The researchers found that:
- 13.7% (more than 1 in 8 respondents) found it hard to stay away from the internet for several days at a time
- 12.4% stayed online longer than intended very often or often
- 12.3% had seen a need to cut back on internet use at some point
- 8.7% attempted to conceal non-essential internet use from family, friends and employers
- 8.2% used the internet as a way to escape problems or relieve a negative mood
- 5.9% felt their relationships suffered as a result of excessive internet use
According to Elias Aboujaoude, MD, lead author of the study, a small but growing number of internet users are starting to visit their doctors for help with unhealthy attachments to cyberspace. He said these patients’ strong drive to compulsively use the internet to check emails, make blog entrees or visit websites or chat rooms, is not unlike what sufferers of substance abuse or impulse-control disorders experience: a repetitive, intrusive and irresistible urge to perform an act that may be pleasurable in the moment but that can lead to significant problems on the personal and professional levels.
While online pornography and online gambling have received the most media attention, the Stanford study concluded that users are as likely to use other websites, including chat rooms, shopping venues and special-interest websites.
Do you have a problem?
Whether your internet use can be termed an “addiction” or not, it’s most important to determine if your internet use is causing any disruption in your life. Do you find yourself spending more and more time online at a greater and greater cost to your real life? Is your internet use causing problems in your relationships, family, at work or school? If your excessive use of the internet is causing problems in other important areas of your life, then your internet use is a problem.
What to do:
Recognizing and admitting that your excessive use of the internet is negatively impacting your life is the first step toward overcoming it. If you or a family member would like help, you can contact your Employee Assistance Program for CONFIDENTIAL counseling, referrals or information. We’re here to help you.