Addicted to the Net?
by Jan Sopshier The time you spend online isn't the only factor used to tell if you are addicted to the Internet. Factors such as conflicts with family, friends and work as a result of your computer use also have to be taken into account. To evaluate your Internet use, answer the following questions, using the scale to sore your responses: 1=Rarely
2=Occasionally
3=Daily
4=Several times a day
5=Always
How often: - Do you find that you stay online longer than you intended?
- Do you neglect household chores to spend more time online?
- Do you prefer the excitement of the internet to the intimacy with your partner?
- Do you form new relationships with other online users?
- Do others in your life complain about the amount of time you spend online?
- Does your job performance or productivity suffer because of the internet?
- Do you become defensive or secretive when someone asks you what you do online?
- Do you find yourself anticipating when you will go online again?
- Do you think that life without the internet would be boring and empty?
- Do you feel preoccupied with the internet when offline, or fantasize about being online?
- Do you choose to spend more time online over going out with others?
- Do you feel depressed, moody, or nervous when you are offline, which goes away once you are back online?
Scoring: Add up the numbers to obtain a final score. The higher your score, the greater your problem with Internet usage. Use this general measure to determine where you fit in: Normal: 15 or below
Mild: 15 to 30
Moderate: 30 to 45
Severe: 45 to 60
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