Episode 29: Internet Addiction

Dear PopSci readers:

Welcome to yet another of the PopSci blog's fantastic new features! Every Tuesday, starting now, contributing troubadour Jonathan Coulton will beam down an episode of his "Podcast from the Moon," along with a witty commentary on what the heck he was thinking when he called Dr. So-and-so (always a scientist or investigator featured in this month's issue of Popular Science) and teased him about his research. Just click on the "subscribe" button after the post below to get free episodes delivered to your iTunes account each week.

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Do you find it hard to stay away from the Internet for several days at a time? Do you stay online longer than intended often or very often? Yeah, me too. I used to have a problem with the Internet, but then I got a phone that can be used as a Bluetooth modem: problem solved! I said, "Problem solved!" Is this thing on?

This week I rationalize my way out of my addiction to the Web. Some researchers at Stanford University conducted a study to find out whether there is such a thing, and their results suggest that at least some of us may want to scale back a bit. (Hey Agathon of Gorgamosh! Put down the broadsword and pick up your baby, OK?)

Sometimes I think this office-on-the-moon business might work against me. Maybe it's because they're "serious about their work" or whatever, but the scientists who ran the study didn't really want to answer my tough questions or laugh politely at my feeding-tube jokes. Instead I spoke to PopSci contributor Jebediah Reed (who was more than happy to do both) about his take on their results. —Jonathan Coulton

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Comments

[kobe bryant]

i like the internet:)

[Stan Nelson]

The Internet is our first truly worldwide, international, real-time, 24/7/365 medium. It makes available easy access to and sharing of limitless information, ideas and opinions. It is changing the face of nationalism, politics, and interpersonal relationships. It is the greatest development we've had since machinery and manufacturing. Use it to the fullest!

[Prem Das]

Addiction to the Internet may turn out to be the perfect anti-dote to degenerative diseases of the brain like Parkinsons and Alzheimers.

[rolly velarde]

the internet has not yet picked in most developing countries and though the worldwide web seem encompassing, it is still unavailable to a substantial number of people. but as the trend shows, everybody from anywhere will have an access to everybody from anywhere as the internet becomes a domineering part of our daily existence. ergo, it is not addicting but rather an indispensible necessity that may well be considered as a new mental disease.

[Maxie O Shirey]

I know that I spend too much time on the internet, but it is my pass time and I have retired! It keeps my mind busy and makes me think of things going on in different parts of the world. I just wish I knew more how to operate and do more on the computer than I do BUT I will master that in time.

[prinks]

See the heights of addiction to internet amongst children also.Yes its like all other addictions that can go to any extent.Amongst children it would affect even higher...see how:
http://diggindianews.com/Entertainment/Boy_addicted_to_Internet/

[bob55]

Hi...
what a topic....?
i just wonder on seeing it title....
i appreciate with your words...
thankx
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Bob
Suffering from an addiction. This website has a lot of great resources and treatment centers.
http://www.treatmentcenters.org

[brook]

addiction to internet will result in brain disease.
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Brook

http://www.localdrugrehab.com

[Joseph]

Some time ago my child spent all his free time surfing the web and my husband and I decided to restrict Internet access. I bought internet filtering software called Ez Internet Timer: http://www.internettimer.net

It can stop all children’s on-line activity and block Internet browsers, e-mails, ftps or messengers according to my daily schedule.