Product Description
Overuse of the internet is often characterised as problematic, disruptive, or addictive, with stories frequently claiming that online use interferes with relationships, or that ‘excessive’ time in front of computer screens is unhealthy. People joke about suffering from withdrawal if they cannot check their emails and some parents worry about their children’s use of computers, wondering whether it is to the detriment of other life experiences normally associated with… More >>

Product Description
Internet addiction is an emergent disorder in the psychiatric and psychological fields. This book provides a theoretical framework to understand how to define and conceptualize compulsive use of the Internet from a clinical perspective. With various theoretical models from the psychiatric, psychological, communication, and sociological fields, it explores the prevalence of the disorder and the most addictive or problematic online applications, such as online pornogr… More >>

Any addiction becomes an actual “addiction” when it negatively affects the lives of both the addict and all those around them. Internet addiction has taken so many years to become established due to the disbelief many have over its legitimacy. Most internet addicts do have an ulterior motive for being online so much. In some cases using the internet is simply a private way for feeding their addictions
such as gambling or pornography. Drug users in some cases depending on their addiction may find it easier to purchase the drug of their choice on the internet. The vast majority of Internet Addicts are not classifed with any of the more common vices.

There are individuals who like to use the internet as a method of escape from their daily lives. In some cases people have completely altered their identies through the internet. This form of addiction is completely psychological. The “fix” is pretending to be someone else.

The saddest and most telling part of this addiction is that the people around the addicted are the real victims. Friends and Loved ones watch their father, friend or lover change into someone else. They see the mood swings and make excuses to others. They must not only endure the emotional “mess” they must clean up after their loved one.

It’s fairly easy to spot internet addiction. The addicted individual withdraws from real people and becomes more focused with individuals they know online. They often make excuses to stay home more, but when they are home, they may seem apprehensive or depressed until they can find a good reason to go online.

They want complete privacy when they are online. If you try to talk to them, you will be ignored. A high percentage of people will not even stop to speak with guests. In some instances personalities change similar to “Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde.” They are horrible to live with offline, but as long as they have that connection, they are relatively normal.

It often requires professional help to break internet addiction. The most important step is to force the individual to see there is a serious problem. This can be skyrocketing bills from gambling or substances. It may be serious problems in the workplace due to inattention or inactivity. It may be issues at school with children. The best time to act is now. Internet addiction is completely curable and there’s no reason to endure it any longer.

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“I don’t even help [my children] with their homework in the evening because I’m in the chat rooms, and I don’t help put them to bed because I don’t realize how late it is. I also don’t help them get ready for school in the morning like I used to do because I’m checking my e-mail. And I just can’t stop myself.”—Raymond, an Internet addict. Internet addiction is real. Like alcoholism, drug addiction, or compulsive gambling, it has devastating effects on the liv… More >>

I need “to know” and I need “to have” more than ever before. I want to get my latest news. I want to spread the news to my on-line and off-line friends, who, I might add, are doing exactly the same. I need to get a new book or … shoes or … gadget just because it is there and easy to buy, no need to drive and look for parking at the mall. Don’t you love these FREE shipping offers? All this is in addition to already being entertained on the Internet watching YouTube, listening to iTunes etc. Do you do the same?

It is not hard to find out if you’re addicted to the Internet. Do you find that when you get online you’re frequently surprised by the amount of time that has passed? Do you find yourself staying home instead of enjoying a beautiful day outside because you’d rather use the Internet? A recent study from Stanford University School of Medicine found that more than one in eight Americans show signs that they could be suffering from some form of internet addiction.

How do you cure this problem? Google “Internet Addiction” and log on to a bunch of websites? Instant Message other sufferers? Join an Internet support group? Or buy self-help books from our favorite on-line store (after performing an extensive price comparison)? You might as well offer a drink to an alcoholic trying to cure his addiction.

In China, parents send their children as young as 12 to the first officially licensed clinic for Internet addiction at the Beijing Military Region Central Hospital. That is after their kids skip school to spend time playing online games and visiting chat rooms. These kids are admitted suffering from depression, nervousness, panic, fear, agitation, unwillingness to interact with others, sleep disorders, the shakes and numbness in their hands. The daily schedule at the center begins at 6 a.m. and includes electric shock treatment and the administration of intravenous drips to “adjust the unbalanced status of brain secretions”.

This sounds a little extreme to me. How about a gentler American way of approaching this problem? How about using a new high-tech device called SnoopStick?

SnoopStick is a very small USB flash drive device that will allow someone to fully monitor and limit your access to the Internet from any other computer on the Internet. Just run the set-up program on your computer then unplug the device and give it to your trusted friend. Your friend will plug Snoop Stick to any Windows-based computer (in her home or office) and at any time will be able to monitor your Internet use and disable your access to the Internet if needed. You can also specify the times when you will be able to access Internet and SnoopStick will enforce this schedule.

Stay aware, alert, and in control of your Internet with Snoop Stick.

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