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Internet Addiction

Kristy and Gayang

4/15/12     

The Internet is around everyone daily, from working at school, to business, and for pleasure, it is a huge part of the daily lives of American citizens, and it is likely to only get bigger. There are many positives to the internet; it is indispensible for work, communication and education. However, there are some negatives to using the internet constantly, and that is internet addiction which is an impulse control disorder.  "When you feel more comfortable with your online friends that your real ones or you can't stop yourself from play games, gambling, or compulsively surfing, even when it is has negative consequences in your life, and then you may be using the Internet too much." This can happen to many people, it can start with a networking site, or games online.

What is online addiction? It is computer addiction disorder (IAD), which includes a variety of impulse-control problems. This includes cybersex addiction, cyber-relationship addiction, net compulsions, information overload, and computer addiction. Cybersex addition is the compulsive use of internet pornography; this can negatively impact real-life relationships because all you know is online. Cyber-Relationship Addiction is addiction to social networking, constantly chatting with people online, which can negatively impact your social life because you are unaware of how to strike up a casual conversation face-to-face. Net compulsions are gambling on line like auction sites, which can only result in financial problems in the future. Information Overload is compulsive web surfing to find out more and more and more information, and it causes less social contact. Computer Addiction is an obsessive like playing of off-line computer games, or computer programming. 

Where is it that we draw the line? There is unhealthy and healthy use of the internet, kind of like use and abuse, there is a fine line. Everyone is different when it comes to this, but mainly spending too much time, where your whole life is online in obsessive like habits. But what pushes someone to this point? Some do it to manage loneliness, depression, stress, and anxiety. And the internet is the perfect escape; you can basically create yourself a new identity, so this attracts several people. But there are more correct ways of dealing with these things such as exercising, and relaxation. The problem is the internet seems an easier access than going and exercising and trying to relax, those things are easier said than done.

So how do you know you are suffering from internet addiction? There are many signs/symptoms that go along with this addiction. Those who suffer from IAD lose track of time online very easily, feel a sense of relief while using the internet, feel guilty about internet use, isolate from one's family or friends, and may have trouble completing tasks.  There are also some physical symptoms such as, carpal tunnel, pronounced weight gain, sleep disturbances, back aches, and dry eyes or strained vision.

Finally, what can be done for people who are affected by this? Of course the first step is defining that there truly is a problem, this requires the use of a Certified Addictions Counselor, in which an assessment will be preformed. There are several places including online, and hotlines. Lastly, prevention cannot be determined since it depends heavily on psychological conditions of the person.

Specific treatment approaches. (2006, April 10). Retrieved fromhttp://www.health.am

Saisan, J., Smith, M., Robinson, L., & Segal, J. (2012, January). Help guide. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/internet_cybersex_addiction.htm

In order to complete this project, the use of texting, and web based e-mail were used constantly. Through there we shared our ideas, and put the paper together and created a blog. 

Twitter vs. Tagged

Twitter is my favorite networking site, everything from the customization, the limited amount of characters that you are allowed to tweet, and the way in which communication is is the easiest. When visiting the Tagged website, and signing up to see what the networking site was all about I found that you must be 18 to join this site, which is a plus in my eyes, and that the customization was very limited. There are things such as Luv and Winks on this website, but I am not a fan of them. This website is also not very well known, so I can't keep in contact with my friends. There is also a limited amount of pictures that can be uploaded unlike Twitter. With Twitter all of your basic information isn't shared right on your homepage, which is enjoyable and seems more safe. Moreover, Tagged reminded me of MySpace, and I am just going to stick to Twitter =)

My Favorite Movies

There many good movies out there but none get better then the comedy's. The older  of the my two favorite movies is Mean Girls. Not only can I recite nearly every line in the movie, but I find it so true of high school and it definitely related to my life. Some people might find the material offensive, but I find it highly entertaining. My other favorite movie that is newer is Bridesmaids. Absolutely hilarious. Although not everyone might have seen it, believing it was a "chick flick" or just looked really boring, watch it. I guarantee you will laugh at least once.

~This one's for the girls~

To all the girls out there, you d o not need a guy with you. Yes, if your in college, most guys are not looking for a relationship that will last forever, especially in the first few years. If your in high school, don't plan your college future around that one boyfriend. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of good one's out there, but good luck finding them. I want all the girls/women out there know that being in a relationship isn't the biggest deal ever. So many of the girls I know are always talking about how awful their boyfriend is or what they do wrong, and how much they get hurt, well no one is forcing you to be with them. Realize that you deserve better, and if you find yourself sitting there all the time going through his phone, having constant arguments and cheating, GET OUT OF THE RELATIONSHIP. 

Sincerely

Annoyed with drama because of boys.

TGIF

Its Friday! Nothing to look forward to the weekend, its a chance to catch up with all your friends, a chance to go out and have a little fun. My plans for this weekend are seeing my best friend from high school who drove all the way up here from Kentucky. She is literately my other half, and no one will understand me like she does. Some of my favorite past times with her are going to Cedar Point and Kings Island two summers ago, walking through Toys 'R Us to just play around, and of course our classic soccer trips spending nights in the hotels and acting like complete idiots. After the week I have had, I need time to just kick back and relax with her. Can't wait! Hope everyone else has fun this weekend!

Photography!!

Being a photographer is the most relaxing, and easiest way to get away from reality. I shoot black and white film out of a 35mm SLR camera, or in other words a really old camera. I HATE doing portraits unless they are captured without the person knowing, for me its that natural, pure things I enjoy photographing. Capturing motion is one of the coolest things ever, and also capturing the beauty held within nature. It isn't all easy when you are using a camera that is all manual, yes everyone that means you have to use a light meter and your camera doesn't figure out everything for you. Yeah, digital photography is easier, and more convenient for many people, but using film especially black and white, there is something unique you can't get with a digital photo. But photography is my passion, I could care less if people liked my work or not, so pick up a camera, and escape reality =)

The WORST Week Ever...
Everyone has those really awful weeks,days, months or even years..but mine hit the ultimate the other week. A few weeks ago it was near Valentine's day, worst holiday ever, but I was told I was just a rebound by the guy I was seeing the day before. Next I went to get my car aligned, and found out home much was really wrong with it, a sway bar link, ball joint, wheel bearing, alignment, oil change etc. Doesn't it seem like every time you take your car to get fixed there are always more problems? Great. But it gets worse. My aunt went into the hospital, I got pulled over 74 in a 55 -thankfully the cop reduced it from 76, I got in trouble at the suites, oh and lets top it off by having a grease fire at work and not being able to open the next day. Sometimes I think it takes hitting rock bottom  to get everything back in order, I mean how much worse can something get?

Rascal Flatts
When looking for a song to put you in a good mood, or even have something to relate to, choose a song bye Rascal Flatts. I attended a concert this past summer at Darien Lake, and it was spectacular.The band started in 1999 in Nashville, Tennessee with Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus , and Joe Don Rooney, and since then has delivered popular hits such as "Bless the Broken Road", "Here Comes Goodbye" "Stand" "Me and My Gang" "What Hurts the Most" "Banjo" "Easy" "Summer Nights" and the list goes on. They are a huge hit and continue to make great music today. Hopefully they will have more hits to come!

Lady Antebellum

This a band that holds some of my favorite songs. I am a big country music fan, and this is my new favorite band. They consist of David Haywood, Hillary Scott who make a great harmony next to the lead singer Charles Kelley. According to David Haywood  "What spawned our friendship was that special writing chemistry. That's when we are the happiest, just sitting in a room together making music." Lady A as most people call them, are all about their music and lyrics. Also another thing the band is big on is their fans.  All these people who spend their hard earned money on a concert ticket or a CD, they invest in us and who we are," says Hillary. "Not just in the music we play, but in our lives. So the least we can do in return is reciprocate that trust in the form of continuing to tour, create music and do our very best at both." Moreover my favorite album that they have put out is Own the Night, go check it out!