According to researcher David Greenfield, the odds are good that you know someone who is addicted to the Internet. A study released in 2009 found that nearly six percent of Internet users are addicted to the Web. Although there is some debate in the psychological community about whether such a thing as Internet addiction exists, many experts believe that it not only exists, but that it disrupts lives and destroys families and careers on a regular basis.
According to Greenfield, "Marriages are being disrupted. Kids are getting into trouble. People are committing illegal acts. People are spending too much money. As someone who treats patients, I see it."
Alcohol and drug addiction have been accepted as legitimate conditions by the medical establishment for decades, but the tendency to label nearly any compulsive behavior as an addiction has generated a great deal of skepticism. Still, therapists who report that they see patients who spend virtually every waking moment online say that compulsive internet use looks very similar to other, more established addictions. In fact, prior to the 2009 study, industry estimates had set the rate of addiction among Internet users as high (Read More....)
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