How to Prevent Internet Addiction

Log off & get real!

Do you get on the computer and next thing you know three hours have passed in what seemed like just minutes?
The Internet is an amazing tool for business and pleasure. But if you enjoy it too much, it can become an addiction -- or even deadly. In 2007, Reuters news service reported that a young Chinese man died of exhaustion after playing online games for three days straight. You'll know you're on the Web too much when other areas of your life are suffering because your time and energy has been used up surfing.

Instructions

1. Get real. Some experts say that the Internet can become an easy, uncomplicated substitute for socializing with real, live people. Start making it a point to contact a friend or family member every day, whether on the phone or in person at a coffee shop. Make a list of people you enjoy, post it on your refrigerator and make a check mark next to the person's name each time you make a real contact. Once you start making connections again, you'll feel less of an urge to feed your Internet addiction.

2. Face problems. An Internet addiction can be detrimental to your relationships. It can also cause other problems in your life to get worse. When you spend your time and energy on the Internet instead of dealing with life, you are like an ostrich with its head in the sand. Many of us who become computer addicted are using the Web as a way to avoid problems. What are you trying to escape? Write it down. Write down one concrete thing you can do to attack your biggest problem each day.

3. Limit your Internet time. If you were giving a friend with an Internet addiction advice on how much time to be on the Internet each day, how much time would you recommend? Decide on a limit for yourself. When your time is up and you start rationalizing that more time is O.K., remind yourself that you can browse again the next day. Turn off the computer. Go outside and take a walk.

4. Make your computer out of sight. Turn the computer and monitor off completely when your Internet time is up. Cover your monitor with a cloth if your computer isn't portable. Put your laptop away in its case in a place where you can't see it.

Tips & Warnings

• In 2007, Reuters news service reported that a young Chinese man died of exhaustion after playing online games for three days straight. Yikes! Read it for yourself by clicking the link below.

References

• NY Daily News: Parents' First Step in Preventing Teen Internet Addiction Is to Become Tech-savvy Themselves

Resources

• Reuters: Man in China Dies After Three-day Internet Session