There
are several who claim that the Internet is just a medium
for addicts to indulge themselves in other diagnosed
addictions. Barrett Blackburn, system administrator
for Perlos Inc., said that it’s not the Internet
that possess an addictive element, but rather “Internet
Addiction” is more of a case of the Internet
feeding another addiction by making it easier to gain
access or obtain the addictive gambling. “They’re
not addicted to the Internet, they’re addicted
to pornography… to gambling… to fantasy
football.” The Internet allows them to do it
at work more easily, he said.
However, it is important to take note of the “socializing”
factor of the Internet. It is the socialization that
makes the Internet so addictive. It is the basic truth
of the human condition that everyone seeks and desires
company. Yet, some argue that, since socializing itself
is a very “addictive” behavior, does the
fact that we’re now socializing with the help
of technology (for example, the telephone) alter the
basic process of socialization? But this argument
failed to notice that many Internet addicts had already
experienced adverse effects on their relationships
with close ones such as friends and family members.
Internet socialization does not require the verbal
aspect of communication, and anyone could establish
false identities to lure or deceive those who chat
with them online. Thus, Internet socialization could
hardly be compared to real-life interpersonal contact
as it not only lacks the basic physical human contact,
but is generally less genuine due to exploitation
by others who create false identities.
Furthermore, it is important to recognize IAD as a
unique addiction by itself instead of dismissing it
as the Internet being misused as a medium for other
addictions. IAD has its own distinctive symptoms and
unlike the other addictions, Internet usage could
still be very constructive towards one’s life
if the usage is regulated and disciplined. Also, as
the technological age advances faster and faster, the
usage of Internet becomes more and more mainstreamed;
teenagers are becoming more and more susceptible to
Internet addiction of as it is
widely accessible to most of them. It is vital that
we recognize the problem now and clamp it down before
it converts the next generation into addicts imprisoned
within the confines of the Internet.
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