Internet addiction on society

           The study explored the immediate impact of internet exposure on the mood and psychological states of internet addicts and low internet-users. Participants were given a battery of psychological tests to explore levels of internet addiction, mood, anxiety, depression, schizotypy, and autism traits. They were then given exposure to the internet for 15 min, and re-tested for mood and current anxiety. Internet addiction was associated with long-standing depression, impulsive non-conformity, and autism traits. High internet-users also showed a pronounced decrease in mood following internet use compared to the low internet-users. The immediate negative impact of exposure to the internet on the mood of internet addicts may contribute to increased usage by those individuals attempting to reduce their low mood by re-engaging rapidly in internet use.

        Over the past decade, since the term became widely debated in the medical literature, ‘internet addiction’ has become regarded as a novel psychopathology that may well impact on a large number of individuals. The focus of internet use in ‘internet addicts’ is varied, but using the internet for gambling and pornography are common amongst such individuals. The negative impact of excessive internet use can be seen across a wide range of aspects of the persons’ life.There has been a big percentage of people spending their time on the internet rather than spending time with their family, or friends. Internet use has been categorized as an actual disorder, and has been termed 'Internet Addiction' because of its similarity to addictions like smoking, drinking, and watching too much TV. 

Keep it under control

      Limit your time online: Chrome users can install plug-ins like StayFocusd while Firefox users can opt for LeechBlock. Decide on a certain amount of time, or certain time period which you want to stay off the sites you can’t seem to get enough of. When you fire up your browser, and see the block, it will serve as a good reminder that there are better ways you could be spending your spare time.

      If you have other gadgets that get you online – such as a phone or a tablet, simply switch off your push notifications, and even switch off your Internet connection. Kill the data connection on your phone. Turn off your router, and go do something else. Mac and Windows users can use an app like Freedom to switch off your Internet connection for up to 8 hours at a time. If you need the Internet for work, at least switch off notifications that tend to distract you.