Are you addicted to your computer?

[Jeff]

I ran across a provocative article about computer addiction that suggests that if you spend more than three hours per day on the computer, you may be addicted. Here's the passage:

Dr. Bob Murray, a clinical psychologist in San Francisco and author of the book, 'Raising an Optimistic Child', warns, "If your kid is spending more than three hours a day on the computer you've got a problem. You're getting an average now of kids spending six and a half hours a day on the computer. That's really an addiction. The same process that leads to addiction to cocaine, alcohol or anything else is working with the internet. The brain is only wired to spend a certain amount of time on any one thing. Anything more than that and the addictive process kicks in."

So the question is, are you addicted? And what does that say for someone like me, who makes his living sitting in front of a computer for large periods of time?

[williamlee]

ummmm addiction yep I guess from what he says I am addicted but I also make my living sitting in front of my computer. i am really into my work might say i am addicted to work as often as 16 hours a day. Ok I cant say I am working the entire 16 hours but being my own boss well break time is when I say LOL. although My oldest spends about two hours in the evening on mostly doing home work. but with all the addictions in life I guess I would choose the internet over drugs everytime.

But you know Jeff in what the good doctors article he says the brain is wired to do a certain amount time doing one thing. would not the same be true about working any job?

my opinion everything can be addictive and it is upto us to choose which addiction we should have.

[rafaelemt]

If being on the computer for more than 3 hours a day is an addiction then i'm definetly a chronic addict. Daily I spend 10 hours in front of the computer at work and then when I come home 4 or 5 hours more are spent chatting and reading my mail. Maybe we should create something like Computer's Anonimous

Rafael

[David]

If your kid is spending more than two hours just sitting there then it is an addiction.

[amy_d_g]

I'm not sure I would agree that over three hours a day on your computer would be cause for concern... If so then I am definitley an addict. I do spend a lot of time online, but at the same time I do not let it interfere with my real-life responsibilities, friends or family.

Here's a test I found that is supposed to tell you if you have a problem.
Internet Addiction Test
My score was 40.

20 - 49 points: You are an average on-line user. You may surf the Web a bit too long at times, but you have control over your usage.

[princeG]

I guess everyone is addicted then according to that article. But like amy said, i dont let it interfere with my whatever responsbilities. In that case it would be cause for concern.

And about the test, my score as 46.

[Tea Granny]

Perhaps you just figured out a way to get paid for your addiction Jeff!

I only scored a 26 on the test, but I consider myself addicted. I was really upset that I couldn't email my friends when my pc needed repairs.

[Fanatic]

The implication of addiction is that the habit has control of you, rather than the other way around. I choose to spend time at a computer. Not always more than 3 hours per day, but a lot of the time. I think the whole computer addiction thing is a load of crap.

[sarahtowny]

Well my job means being on the comp, no choice .... end of conversation. Except this morning of course, 2 clients and in court most of the morning. Was a nice change! No I did not do anything wrong haha I am the blood sucking lawyer you all hear about!

At home oh trying to be a good girl just an hour a day, it's not working spend too much time yapping to my pals. Miami your a bad influence!! We yap yap and yap some more!

Psychologists...psh...what do they know?!

In my case, it's hard to be addicted to something that is gradually getting quite boring...There's not many website that grab my interest. Chat is cool though even though I am a bad influence on everyone. I'm such a rebel.