Internet + Compulsive Shopping = Serious Trouble

For years, before the Internet came to be the online marketplace that it is today, shoppers were lured into stores by clever marketing, celebrity endorsement and over-the-top window displays. Today, instead of a shopper needing to get dressed and physically walk into a business, she need only mosey on over to her comfy computer chair or recliner and a few keystrokes later she is at her favorite storefront.

Brick-and mortar retailers of the 1990's have realized the potential for greater profits and cost reduction through the use of e-commerce. Also, while it may be difficult to gain a customer following online, it is much easier and less expensive to begin an online business. Businesses can more easily get an advertisement to particular consumers. Whether customers have been to the business before and given an email address, the business advertises on a site like Facebook or the business comes up in a search for some item, its just easier.

Now for some of the reasons that online compulsive shopping is more serious than traditional shopping:

• Can't see any empty wallet when buying online
• Can't get the "high" of holding the purchased item
• Can easily visit many stores and buy many items in minutes

I have focused on US consumers for the majority of the post but I also found a survey from China where 71% of respondents stated that they were addicted to online shopping. That is an outrageous number! The survey was conducted earlier this year and the exact definition of 'addiction' was not given but that is still astonishing to me.

I know that not everyone has a problem with this subject and I'm sure a large number of people use the Internet to more thoroughly research purchases. However, this issue caught my attention and I thought I should give a little more information about it. Enjoy and explore more if you are interested.

Citations:

http://www.addictionhelpcenter.com/online-shopping-addiction
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/7273391.html

Internet Addiction is Real

The criteria that defines internet addiction varies, but a good average is showing symptoms of addiction for 3 months and 6 or more hours of internet use not related to school or work a day. This being said look at what internet addiction has caused some people to do or not do.

In 2007 a couple was charged with child neglect on their 11 and 22 months old children. The couple had a internet gaming addiction. The children were found under weight, malnourished, and dehydrated. They also suffered from infections and were filthy, which included having found cat urine in their hairs. The couple was unemployed, and the money that they had they spent on supporting themselves and equipment.

In 2000, a teenager who said he would "finish what Columbine started" blamed his threats on his addiction to the internet. He had sent the note to a student at Columbine and the school shut down for several days. The teenager was sentenced to jail for 4 months.

The sad thing is, there are many more cases out there, and the fact that internet addiction is growing is a little frightening because who knows what else people will do or not do.

http://www.thecyn.com/blog/internet-addiction/.10/26/2011.

Not to be taken lightly

The internet is becoming more easily accessed in today's world.  You can surf the web on phones, laptops, tablets, portable gaming devices, even televisions.  With all of these methods of access it becomes increasingly easy to become addicted to something that proves to be useful in everyday life.  Whether it is to check an e-mail or to submit work, or even to do some research for projects anyone can find a use for the internet.  Addiction can start out lightly, with something as simple as checking your e-mail one last time or making the comment of "Just a few more minutes" and then it will slowly start to increase to the point where you start to become negligent towards your everyday tasks.

Internet addiction seems rather harmless when you just look at it and think that the person simply spends too much time online.  The issue really runs deeper than that, to the point where they start losing sleep and ignoring work, friends, and even family just to get a few more minutes online.  This leads to them becoming anti-social in an attempt to hide how they spend their free time, which makes those that were close to them start to back away as they feel they are not being treated as friends anymore leading to depression in the addict.  On top of this depression, internet activities can potentially lead to weight gain or loss, due to lack of exercise and or eating.  Stress also becomes an issue from internet addiction, usually more from online gaming, but can be prevalent in other areas from something as simple as a delayed e-mail.

With all of these potential health issues linked to it, internet addiction is a negative impact on ones life to the point that they might even start to question whether life is worth living as they have given up everything just to stay online.  While not as deadly as other addictions, it is still an addiction and should be handled accordingly.  Taking it lightly simply because it may appear harmless at first will only lead to more issues, and the longer it goes unchecked means it will most likely harder to break the addict free.

1 in 25 Teens Addicted To Interne

A study was conducted at ten different high schools in Connecticut, by Dr. Timothy Liu from Yale University. He asked more than 150 questions about health, risky behaviors, and impulsiveness -- including seven questions on Internet use.

- Have you ever missed a class or important social activities because you were surfing the internet?
- Have you ever had an "irresistible urge" to be online?
- have you ever experienced a growing tension or anxiety that can be relieved only by using the Internet?
- Have you ever tried to quit or cut down on using the internet?

Those are some of the questions that were asked to the students. The study found that 1 in 25 teens are addicted to internet.

personally, I do not find it a shocking statistic at all. Children nowadays are growing up in environments surrounded by electronics and internet is accessible almost anywhere; PC's, i-phones, i-pods, i-pads, etc. Some teens can not imagine how life would look like without internet.

What is you view about teens and pre-teens using the internet?
Advantages vs. disadvantages?

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43098981/ns/health-addictions/#.Tp5FSHHiA78

Some Symptoms of Internet Addictions:

1- When you do not have internet access, you start thinking a lot about what you would do first once you get access. Getting curious about updates in Facebook, Twitter and etc.

2- You never tell others how much time you spend on the internet because you are afraid they tell you are an addict.

3- If you have less self-control that means you are an addict.

4- Logging onto the internet while your at a lecture or work.

5- Checking  a lot on your mailbox when not needed.

6- Looking forward to upgrade your computer, computer's accessories and software when not needed.

Video Games through the Internet

Video games that are connected with the internet are growing at a rapid rate. They are becoming more complex and detailed, causing people to spend more time to "beat" the game. They are getting more realistic and having more strategic challenges which are drawing more people to play the games.

Not all gamers are addicts, many people have a good balance between school, work, family, and pleasure.  Studies show that around 10-15% show signs of addiction. Many of these games allow you to make friends in the game and real life friends are getting replaced by these internet friends. They get so caught up in the game that they neglect the real world.

Though internet video game addiction is real, it is not recognized by the American Medical Association as a medical disorder. I believe that if video games go from entertainment to becoming your life, that there is a real issue. If you believe that you are someone you know has a video game addiction, there is help out there.  please visit http://www.video-game-addiction.org/

Facebook & Twitter & Linkedin, oh my!

While I was at campus today, thinking about a blog post that needed writing, I couldn't help but notice that at least one person was on a social networking site in every one of my classes. Whether it was checking friends' statuses on Facebook or tweeting what a great lecture was happening in Dr. Stylianou's class on Twitter, students were distracted. Maybe even feeding their addiction.

Social networking sites are convenient because they let you know what friends are doing and saying all on one website. But, going to these sites can easily become habit forming and before you know it you're visiting the site multiple times a day for hours on end. Wouldn't you like to actually hang out with these friends that you are talking to online?

In the previous post, we discussed what Internet addiction is and posted a few example questions to see if you overuse the Internet. If you had the time to take the test provided in the link, then you have a better idea of your personal Internet usage patterns. If you haven't taken it yet, I urge you to. It can really help you see how much time you are spending online and how being online is affecting your life.

What is Internet Addiction?

In this modern age when everyone uses the internet for school, work, communication, and leisure. There are alot of benefits from using the internet; however, spending too much time on the internet can interfere with your life and relationships.

Do you find yourself more comfortable with your friends online than your real friends?
Do you find yourself losing track of time or having trouble completeing tasks at home or work becasue of your activities online?
Do you feel guilty about your internet use, and do you get a feeling of euphoria while doing internet activities?

If you answered yes to one of these questions, then please follow us to learn more about Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD).

Provided is a link for a more thorough test on IAD.
http://www.netaddiction.com/index.php?option=com_bfquiz&view=onepage&catid=46&Itemid=106


Joanna Saisan, M.S.W., Melinda Smith, M.A., Lawrence Robinson, and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. Internet Addiciton. HelpGuide.org. 10/2010. http://www.helpguide.org/mental/internet_cybersex_addiction.htm