… is likely to become a recognized psychiatric disorder via inclusion in the next edition of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) of the American Psychiatric Association. From an editorial about it:
[There are] at least three subtypes: excessive gaming, sexual preoccupations, and e-mail/text messaging. All of the variants share the following four components: 1) excessive use, often associated with a loss of sense of time or a neglect of basic drives, 2) withdrawal, including feelings of anger, tension, and/or depression when the computer is inaccessible, 3) tolerance, including the need for better computer equipment, more software, or more hours of use, and 4) negative repercussions, including arguments, lying, poor achievement, social isolation, and fatigue. . . Some of the most interesting research on Internet addiction has been published in South Korea. After a series of 10 cardiopulmonary-related deaths in Internet cafés and a game-related murder, South Korea considers Internet addiction one of its most serious public health issues . . . . The average South Korean high school student spends about 23 hours each week gaming.
Stop reading this!
They should totally add “blogging” to the list, but I haven’t yet decided if it’s a good addiction or a bad one (?)
This might explain behavior we have noticed in our kid when she is pulled away from either her computer or her nintendo DS after more than an hour–she becomes very agitated, rude, and frighteningly moody. After talking to other parents who have experienced the same thing with their children, we have limited our daughter’s time to a maximum 45-60 minute increments only a few times/week. This has helped immensely.