Being addicted to the internet is as easy as smiling when you are happy. Not everyone understands this addiction but those of us who do don't really understand those that aren't addicted to it. The internet for many is a hobby. Some people collect Hot Wheels, some collect Precious Moments Figurines and some collect something completely off the wall, information.
That may sound funny or possibly even a bit eccentric but that is the plain and simple truth. That is what you find on the internet and those of us who are addicted to it are more likely addicted to the information that we find there.
I asked a simple question once. The question was posed to another internet junkie like myself. The question was sent through an internet email. It was meant to find out just how addicted this person was to the internet because I wanted someone compatible with my style of living. "Are pickles a fruit or a vegetable?" The answer came back to me within minutes after sending it. "Technically, pickles may be considered both a fruit and a vegetable. While they are made from cucumbers, which are a vegetable, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled them a "fruit of the vine" because of their seeds." I knew this was the guy for me.
My bet is you think that the last paragraph was a bit silly. It does, however, show that there truly is a thing called addiction to the internet and that the internet provides information. Therefore, those of use addicted to the internet are really addicted to the information held within its frames. But just how do you know if you are addicted to the internet?
Let me give you some food for thought:
1. Do you find yourself more interested in turning on the computer than you do your partner? If you do, you might be addicted to the internet.
2. Do you ever find yourself downright angry over the fact that the internet connection is down? Do you find that you call immediately to the people you feel are responsible for this crime and cuss them out for having stopped your evening of enjoyment? If so, you might be addicted to the internet.
3. Do you do random things on the internet such as search your name in Google just to see what comes up or type in words like I and me just to see if the search engine gives you the correct meaning? If so, you may be addicted to the internet.
4. Do you own websites on every popular site? These sites include but are not limited to Myspace, Google, Facebook and YouTube. Do you visit more than one of these sites at least once a day, sometimes more? If so, you might be addicted to the internet.
5. Do you know and use all of the internet "chat" lingo? Do you use that language in real life conversations? If someone tells a joke do you laugh in ROFLMAO? If so, you may be addicted to the internet.
6. Do you regularly converse with more than two people online that you have never met in real life? Do you consider those people your true friends? Do you rely on them for comfort or a listening ear when you have problems? Do you listen to their advice more than you do your loved ones? If so, you may be addicted to the internet.
7. Do you know how to effectively use keywords to bring up the correct answers in your search engines? Do you know how to do reverse phone number lookups? Do you know how to find just about anyone you want to on the internet? If so, you may be addicted to the internet.
8. Do you see the computer screen more often than you see your partners face? Do you forget to go to bed at night because you are "talking" to your "friends"? Do you forget to eat or take your medication because you want to finish this one last game? Do you sit down at your computer at 3:00 PM and find the clock sitting at 3:00 AM the next time you look away from your computer screen? If so, you may be addicted to the internet.
9. Do you know all the great sites to get music or videos to listen to while you surf around the internet? Does your computer have a television on it so that you can watch TV while your surf? If so, you may be addicted to the internet.
10. Do you find yourself leering at someone else's computer when you go to their house to visit? Do you get the irresistible urge to run over to it, turn it on and surf? If so, you may be addicted to the internet.
The internet is an amazing creation. It allows us to do so many things. This is why we become addicted to it. Some people look at it as an evil thing. I look at it as the most amazing amount of information that I could ever possibly come across. In fact, I encourage people to become addicted to the internet. Sure, there are bad things about it, but you have to go looking for it most of the time. You can shut out the bad with any number of different programs and options. That would be preferable to shutting out a world of information that our minds would otherwise go without.