Internet AddictionJosh was 12 when his parents bought him a computer for his room, thinking it would be useful now that Josh was in junior high school. He immediately took to internet and soon discovered email and chat rooms. His parents watched over his shoulder for the first few weeks and discussed the need to be cautious with personal information and made sure that Josh was steering clear of pornographic and violent websites. As they became comfortable with Josh’s behavior on the internet, they no longer watched over him while he chatted with online friends and played online games.Problems soon arose, however. Josh began to spend most of his time in his bedroom with the computer, and he was moody when he was forced to spend time with his family. His grades dropped from A’s and B’s to C’s and D’s. He was irritable when he was away from his computer and often stayed online into the early mornings. When his alarmed parents removed the computer from Josh’s room, he became very hostile and threatened to harm himself. Josh’s parents quickly sought counseling for internet addiction.What is Internet Addiction?Internet Addiction is a growing concern in the Information Age. Internet access is a vital part of the modern world and an important tool in the education of our children. It is present in schools, homes and even shopping malls. Mastering the use of the internet is likely to be an important skill for those entering the job markets of the future. In addition, it is a highly entertaining and informative medium. However, these very qualities also make it an enticing escape for many users. The internet offers 24-hour access to a world of constant stimulation and alluring anonymit...
