Are You Addicted To The Internet? [We Ask You]

As humans we all invariably have our vices. For some it’s alcohol, for others drugs, for some nicotine, for others food. We get addicted to things we enjoy, and it’s sometimes hard to kick the habit after years of living a certain way enjoying certain pleasures in life. Believe it or not the Internet is no different from other vices, and it can draw you in and refuse to let go without a fight.

Joel recently write an article urging everybody to take a break from the Internet. It’s his opinion that doing so, whether it be for two minutes or a year, can be of great benefit. It may be hard to imagine taking such an extended break from the online world, but it does throw up an interesting topic ripe for discussion here on MakeUseOf.

In this week’s ‘We Ask You’ column we want to know what kind of relationship you think you have with the Internet. Is it a very small part of your life that you can easily imagine shunning for a prolonged period, or possibly for ever? At the other end of the scale do you find yourself sitting and clicking mindlessly around the Web for something, anything, to do on an evening? And were this behemoth of information and entertainment to be taken away would you cope?

The Internet is clearly an addictive entity – and it is an entity (see The IT Crowd video clip below) – but do you find yourself pining for it when it’s no longer available? I must admit my laptop is the first thing I reach for in the morning, and if there is ever a problem with my connection I panic. Granted, this is because access to the Web is an essential part of my job, but it has still made me question whether I myself am somewhat addicted to this other life.

Have you chosen a night in trawling the Web over going out with friends or visiting family? Has the Internet ever adversely affected one of your relationships? Are there any techniques or programs you have used to counter the addictive nature of the Web? We want to hear from you on all of the issues raised above.

All comments will be digested to form conclusions in a follow-up post next week where we will detail what ‘You Told Us’. One reader will be chosen for the coveted ‘Comment Of The Week’, getting their name up in lights, the respect of other readers, and 150 MakeUseOf points to use for Rewards or Giveaways. What more motivation than that do you need to respond?

‘We Ask You‘ is a weekly column dedicated to finding out the opinions of MakeUseOf readers. The questions asked are usually open-ended and likely to start a conversation. Some are opinion-based, while others see you sharing tips and advice, or advocating tools and apps to fellow MakeUseOf Readers. This column is nothing without you, as MakeUseOf is nothing without you.

Image Credit: Paull Young

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Posted in: Addicted,internet