Internet Addiction is Real

What is the first thing you do when you wake up and what is the last thing you do before you go to bed? (I am actually really interested in your answers, so feel free to comment with your answers)

To be honest, the first thing I do when I wake up is to pick up my phone, and the first thing I do on my phone is to check for any new messages (crazy right? Lol… That makes two of us…).

It is important to note that I am working on this though, but it can be really hard. I mean, everything that I would have loved to start my day with is actually on my phone, so, it always feels like “I have to pick up my phone anyways”.

My favourite bible plans are on my phone, I listen to podcasts from my phone, almost all my books are digital, so I can only access them on my phone. To be honest, there was a point I could say that my life was on my phone, connected to the internet. I would like to think that my phone is almost useless without the internet actually.

Does this mean I am addicted to my phone or the internet, which is the main attraction for using my phone?

Addiction Resource defines internet addiction as a behavioural addiction characterized by compulsive, uncontrollable Internet use that interferes with daily life. Actually, it was referred to as a disorder. Does this mean that most of us are sick? Sick with Internet Addiction Disorder?

Well, you can check for yourself. Here are the signs:

1. Spending most of the time online.
2. Staying online for longer than you planned. (I planned to spend just around 15 minutes on Tiktok, and I ended up spending about one hour. Lol)
3. Not being honest about your internet use. Admitting a problem is the first step to curing it.
4. Neglecting relationships with others because you are busy on the internet.
5. Poor work or school performance, as a result of your use of the internet.
6. The feeling of guilt after spending so much time on the internet.
7. Continuing to spend so much time on the internet despite its obvious effects on your physical and mental health.

If you ticked all the boxes here, you are pretty much suffering from acute Internet Addiction Disorder and could very well destroy your life if you do not take action immediately.

If you tick some of the boxes (like me), you might be having a mild Internet Addiction problem. It is not so much, but if not controlled, could lead to the real thing.

If you did not tick any of the boxes (oh my God!, you are a saint). You should still be careful though, it spreads faster than any virus you have seen.

Take-Home: Internet Addiction is real and its consequences could be dire (more on this in another post). The earlier you deal with it, the better for you and the world around you.