Relationship problems that
resulted from Internet addiction have been
undermined by its current popularity and widespread
utility. Dr Kimberly Young (1996) discovered
that serious relationship problems were reported
by 53% of Internet addicts surveyed. Marriages,
dating relationships, parent-child relationships,
and close friendships have been noted to be
heavily damaged by "net binges."
Addicts will spend progressively less time
engaging in personal contact with other people
in exchange for solitary time with a computer.
When addictive behavior persists, arguments
about the heightened volume of time and energy
spent on-line soon results, but such complaints
are often dismissed and deflected as part
of the denial exhibited by the addicts,
with retorts such as "I don’t have
a problem” or “I’m just de-stressing”.
These arguments will surface more and more frequently
when an addict experiences tolerance and hence,
spends more time online. Sooner or later, a
schism would result between the addict and his
or her spouse or family members.
Marriages are apparently the most severely affected
as usage of Internet interferes with responsibilities
and obligations at home, and it is usually the
spouse who takes up these neglected chores and
frequently feels like a "Cyber-widow."
Addicted on-line users tend to wield the Internet
as an excuse to avoid doing necessary but reluctantly
performed daily chores such as doing the laundry
or cutting the lawn. Even important responsibilities
such as caring for their children are ignored.
For example, one mother forgot such things as
picking up her children after school, to make
them meals, and to put them in bed because she
was so consumed by her Internet use.
Matrimonial lawyers have reported a rise in
divorce cases due to cyber-relationships. Individuals
may form on-line relationships which may diminish
the amount of time spent with real life partners.
The addicted spouse secludes him or herself
and decline to be engaged in previously enjoyed
activities such as going out to dinner or travel,
and preferring the company of on-line companions.
The ability to carry out romantic and sexual
relationships on-line further deteriorates the
stability of real life couples. The addicted
spouse will continue to emotionally and socially
withdraw from the marriage, exhausting more
energy instead to maintain the recently discovered
on-line "lovers" and neglecting their
partners in the process. “More relationships
are breaking up because of spouses sneaking
out of bed to check e-mail in the middle of
the night, “said, Dr. Elias Aboujaoude
-- principal author of the study and head of
the Impulse Control Disorders Clinic at Stanford
University School of Medicine
In addition, the addicted individual may lie
to his or her family members about the duration
of their Internet sessions or lie to them about
the expenses incurred due to his Internet addiction
problem. This will result in his family members
not trusting him or her and hence, putting a
once stable relationship in a precarious position.
