Internet is not just a world in which information could be
found about any and all subjects the human mind could possibly imagine. The
internet is a way for family members and friends living far from home to keep
close contact with their loved ones. The positive effects of internet is quite
obvious, the disadvantages that it intrigues the impressionable adolescent mind
and leads them to content which they are immature to comprehend.
As a journalist, I
have made internet part of my life. Switching it on now and then. Upon arrival back
home in the evening, the first thing I do as I enter my house is to turn on my
mobile networks checking emails; several chat services. Which I think is border
line addiction in my case.
An addiction is defined as, “compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance characterized by
tolerance and by well defined psychological symptom upon withdrawal.”
During an online survey, 25,521 internet users were screened
about their usage of internet, and 30% of them get on to net to escape negative
feeling in their lives. Clinical research shows that the mean age of men
addicted to the internet is 29 and for the women its 43. As for as vocational
background 42% come from no background at all, 39% come from non-tech white
collar, 11% from blue collar and 8% from white collar. The most addictive
online applications have proven to be 35% chat, 28% MUD, 15% new groups, 13%
e-mails, 7% world wide web(WWW) and 2% just for information.
English speaking countries, studies have found that
accelerated intimacy, ease and availability of access, anonymity, dis inhibition, loss of boundaries makes anyone want to be a part of this World
Wide Web (WWW).
Researchers have found that, there are four internet
addictions namely-
Cyber relation
addiction-is one where someone is addicted to chat rooms and is over involved
in online relations.Net is the dangerous most addiction where gamblers
invest thousands of dollars on the net
which in the end not only disrupts their
job related duties, but also become bothersome to loved ones around them. Information overload addicts are
addicted to unlimited information that can be found on internet. Engaging with cyber sex with individual’s online leads
to developing relationship with them. People who have this addiction are most
likely addicted because of anonymity the internet offers, the connivance and
also the escape.
Center for online addiction states the following,” Gender
significantly influences the way men and women view cyber-sex. Women prefer
cyber sex because it hides their physical appearance, removes the social stigma
that women should not enjoy sex. Men prefer
this because it removes performance anxiety that may be underlying problems
with premature ejaculation or impotence and it hides their physical appearance
for men who feel secure about their hair loss. The male organ of copulation, or
weight gain”.
Being addicted is the life challenging thing, don’t you
think so? In the 21st century, to say that anyone who meets others
online will develop relationships with them, later taking it to another level
and adding sexual contact to their relationships is not applicable.
I have big list of friends in my contact, some of whom I
know personally and some who are know
through different lists. They have
become part of my life, but as an internet addict myself, if I were not to
speak to them, I’d feel I am missing something.
In one of my researches, I went through Dr. Suller, who
created a book on cyber psychology which says, “The multiple aspects of one’s identity may be dissociated, enhanced or
integrated online.”How easy it is for people to get addicted to creating
selves on the internet which something you aren’t. This is problematic, because
these happen when you are dejected completely by the real you around your
circle, that completely affects yourself esteem.
Dr. Suller mentions that some people find really genuine “true”
relationships in cyberspace. These couples have found something genuine and
real. So it is imperative for prospective couples to meet and see
whether they possess those qualities.
In fact a friend of mine met some one month ago, the one she
met on internet. People argue that how’s it possible; how the internet meeting
differs from corner bar. I think it is much safer because you are not only
exposed, as you would be at bar or club. The internet is an added means of
meeting people and getting to know them without inhibitions that might exist
meeting someone face to face.
Trying hard to make an impression often restrains us getting
to know the real person, someone who we really are. Meeting people on internet
before those initial first impressions are made to enlighten, is in my opinion
a step forward.
Not going too far, our older
generations keep on surfing the
matrimonial sites for our future spouses, then how come it becomes a taboo if
we use it ourselves..
Think over!
