Some crows have developed kind of surprising eating strategies.

The Neurocritic discuss in an interesting article⁽¹⁾ about the meaning of what Kimberley Young calls Internet addiction. In 1996, Young proposed in "Internet addiction, the emergence of a new clinical disorder" some criteria that may be used to diagnose this controversal condition.

Far away from the debate, here are some clinical facts about use of internet, including mails, games or other web practices.

Teenages, the easier target of Internet addiction?

Contrary to what medias commonly divulgate, not teenages but mens from 20 to 30 years olds seem to be more concerned by intensive practice of game or others activities ont the web.

Internet Kills !

As well as taking a bath is the sea with a knight's armor. This is really rare (but it did happen !). Medias strongly exaggerate dangerosity of internet, as they prefer emotionnal schock rather than reasonnable discuss about real dangers of "Internet addiction", such as lack of sociabilization, affective retreat... Isn't it funny that parents self-scandalized about dangerosity of computer when the number of road kills, because of the portable telephon, increase. Adults are far more concerned by riskly behaviors related to technology than their kids.

As well as for other addiction, men with Internet practice troubles underestim their dependance. Some clues in conversation point out their internet activity is omnipresent in mind. Such behaviors as leaving early their friends in order to reach the screen, breaking conversation to make "something more urgent", or being irritable when no connexion is possible, can show Internet is a bind for some men. Still, the controversy about considering Internet practice troubles as addiction is vigourous. As an addiction, Internet addiction would be closely related to others ackknowledged addictions such as alcoolism or hazard games addiction (casino).

Internet Addiction at work?

Some says Internet addiction exists, even at work : Study by Hewlett Packard showed that one adult on five could rather treat and answer their mails than eat at lunch time.

Want to know more? Here are some interesting further readings :

(1) The Neurocritic : Does internet addiction really shrink your brain? Nov 2009. retrieved on 8 dec 2009. (eng)

Dr Vaughan Bell (Mind Hacks) Internet addiction storms break in China . Aug. 2009. retrieved as well on 8 dec 2009. (eng)

From the same author : Jeux vidéos et Psychologie 3 : Cyberdépendance . Dec 2007. retrieved on 8 dec 2009. (fr)