Hooked On The Web

MT writes "The New York Times is running an interesting article entitled Hooked On The Web: Help is on the Way. It says that internet addiction is being taken more seriously by big business and mental health workers, and affects a large population (6%-10% of all users)." From the article: "Skeptics argue that even obsessive Internet use does not exact the same toll on health or family life as conventionally recognized addictions. But, mental health professionals who support the diagnosis of Internet addiction say, a majority of obsessive users are online to further addictions to gambling or pornography or have become much more dependent on those vices because of their prevalence on the Internet. But other users have a broader dependency and spend hours online each day, surfing the Web, trading stocks, instant messaging or blogging, and a fast-rising number are becoming addicted to Internet video games."

Obsession

[Pretendstocare]

Yeah but at least obsessive internet users get the frist psot!!!!!!!

I keep hitting refresh

[PIPBoy3000]

But the comments don't come fast enough. Gotta . . . get . . . my . . . fix.

I can't be addicted...

[AntEater]

because I could stop anytime.

Re:IT professional

[Jotii]

That's like working in a marijuana test-lab.

Users

[Jotii]

Ever wondered why both drug addicts and internet geeks are called "users"?

Obviously

[ch-chuck]

Mental Health Workers are clearly addicted to making major announcements about the deleterious effects of whatever the current fad is. Rewind to 1977: "Interstate Truckers Addicted to CB Radio pose hazard for health, family, and traffic safety".

Re:Is it just me...

[flyingsquid]

This is why the psychology industry has lost all credibility with me. Every failing that a person has is now some addiction or other problem that is beyond their control.

The psychologists can't help this kind of behavior, because they're addicted to it.

In other news...

[tooba]

mental health professionals found to have no shortage of work due to loose definition of "addiction."