NationStates Jolt Archive

Here are some 'signs (http://www.addictions.org/internet.htm)' of internet addiction, and a long paper on internet addiction disorder (http://www.chem.vt.edu/chem-dept/dessy/honors/papers/ferris.html), but I'm not necessarily interested in whether such a disorder exists or not. I'm more interested in what you people...okay WE people, mostly heavy users of the internet, consider to be the ramifications of increased internet use. Some questions to consider:

1) Do you think the internet is isolating, or expanding people's social horizons.
2) Do most internet users, namely chatroom or forum users, 'roleplay', or do they present themselves to others more honestly than they would in real life?
3) Are 'virtual friendships' as valid as real life ones?
4) How do YOU find balance between your internet social life and your real life social life?

Anecdotal stories about weird internet freaks are also welcome:)

Hmm...

I don't know that I have internet addiction, being a Web Developer and all, I really can't get away from it anyway.

But I think I did have a problem with BBS's and Forums. And sending people naked pictures of myself in return for naked pictures of them. Because the internet is not a 'real' place, the social interaction isn't a healthy interaction for the most part.

It can be, but it rarely is. That doesn't stop me from the occasional attempt to get people to look at me naked and send pics of them naked...but there it is. I'm a weirdo.

That doesn't stop me from the occasional attempt to get people to look at me naked and send pics of them naked...but there it is. I'm a weirdo.
Yes. Yes you are. Are they hot naked pictures?:D

The internet: One step up from T.v still one step short of real life.

"Internet addiction - what are the consequences?"

1. You check your email and forum before you have your morning coffee.

2. You start using L33T speak in normal, offline conversations.

3. You tend to believe that if it's not in the Wikipedia, it doesn't exist.

4. When someone says something with which you take violent exception, your first thought is, "God, I wish I had a trout!" :D

Why of course it's expanding our world! Do "they" (non-Internet addicts) ever have as many friends abroad? Do they know other cultures as well as we do? Do they ever know English as well? Do they get to discuss (ahem) with people who have opposing opinions as often&easily as we do? Or do they meet as easily people to share their ideas with?

Okay, maybe they do :P I wouldn't dare to try and live outside the Internet, anyway.

1) Do you think the internet is isolating, or expanding people's social horizons.

Can be both. I wouldn't say this forum is isolating.

2) Do most internet users, namely chatroom or forum users, 'roleplay', or do they present themselves to others more honestly than they would in real life?

I can't speak for "most people", but personally, I find that im a lot more honest about myself on the internet. Well, not honest necessarily, but more confident in talking about certain things.
3) Are 'virtual friendships' as valid as real life ones?

Sure, i've made real life friends through the internet.

4) How do YOU find balance between your internet social life and your real life social life?

By giving the latter priority and reserving the former when none of my buddies can/want to go out. :p

The internet: One step up from T.v still one step short of real life.
Yeah, you can say that now when your post count is in the 80s...but before you know it, you'll be singing the praises of NS General!

1) Do you think the internet is isolating, or expanding people's social horizons.
isolating. i've "met" lots of cool people online and i value whatever freindships i have with them (people on msnm or here), but in the standard sense of the phrase, its definatley isolating cos you rarely get to meet IRL

in a more modern, less "standard" sense of 'social horizons', its definatley an exansive force (or something like that. brain no worky now)

2) Do most internet users, namely chatroom or forum users, 'roleplay', or do they present themselves to others more honestly than they would in real life?
i'm the same person here as i am IRL, and probably the same on msn, too.
i think i'm probably a bit more open here than RL - maybe cos i feel i won't be judged in the same way as IRL - but still the same me.

as for most users, i tend to take people at face value anyway.

3) Are 'virtual friendships' as valid as real life ones?
tough one. yes and no.
yes in that i can feel for and 'get to know' people to the same degree (sometimes more) than IRL, but no in that it is virtual and those people can (often) never actually be there for you as a friend... only when you want to talk to them or they want to be talked to (if you know what i mean).

for example; i got kinda depressed again for about a month at the start of this uni semester cos i wasn't going back there and i was having second thoughs. i didn't sign into msnm and never turned my phone on for that month... because i could. RL friends might have done something or come round or whatever (unfortunatley all my RL friends are about 300 miles that way at uni), but because even my RL friendships had had to move to virtual ones, i was able to run away from everybody alltogether and just hide away... which wasn't good for me.

4) How do YOU find balance between your internet social life and your real life social life?
lol i lost that balance a looong time ago while at uni. then i left there and my internet social life is all i have left. its sad i know but i'm quite happy with it.
if it wasn't for the internet and virtual friends who can care as deeply for you as RL friends, i'd be a real sad case :(
hell i'd probably be dead :p

(fluffles to amy :))


1) Using the online services everyday without any skipping.
yes.

2) Loosing track of time after making a connection.
no sense of time as it is anyway, so yeah i guess

3) Goes out less and less.
yup. went out less and less last year at uni same time as i posted here more and more :p

4) Spending less and less time on meals at home or at work, and eats in front of the monitor.
latter, yes. but not the former

5) Denying spending too much time on the Net.
probably

6) Others complaining of your too much time in front of the monitor.
yup

7) Checking on your mailbox too many times a day.
not really (a couple of times but only to see if one particular person has emailed me :P ), but i check here far too many times a day

8) You think you have got the greatest web site in the world and dying to give people your URL.
lol no my personal site sucks (www.hlj.me.uk mwuhahaha! :cool: )

9) Loggin onto the Net while already busy at work.
i'm at work now and i've posted loads here today :p
i'm copying loads of files around the network and they're all taking bloody ages, so i got plenty of time to post between moving the next set... that's my excuse *blushes*

10) Sneaking online when spouse or family members not at home, with a sense of relief.
yep... no more stress or being told off for nerding around on my own when they're not here :p
but i get that with games, too. guess i just have a computer addiction :P

also, i talk to my g/f online usually for at least a couple of hours a night, so that really racks up the hours i spend online :)
(not that i mind at all lol :fluffle: )

Yes. Yes you are. Are they hot naked pictures?:D

But of course...but it is bartering...not giving...;)

4. When someone says something with which you take violent exception, your first thought is, "God, I wish I had a trout!" :D

*smacks Eutrusca with a trout* :p

3. You tend to believe that if it's not in the Wikipedia, it doesn't exist.

hey thats true!

*blurts out "lol" IRL*

what? http://www.ironmaiden.org/images/smilies/extras/eusa_shifty.gif



other signs you're addicted to the net:

when you move into a new house you "netscape" before you "landscape"
when you get up for a drink in the middle of the night, you stop by your computer just to see if anyone's online
being online till 4 in the morning with alarming regularity
remembering the long and complex urls of your favourite pr0n sites and being able to recite them on cue ;)
knowing your IP address like its your RL address
shouting at your computer and then immediatley apologising like its got feelings or something :(

*smacks Eutrusca with a trout* :p
Eep! :eek:

Smacks Cluichstan right back:

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/8744/smileytroutsmack8kl.gif (http://imageshack.us)

being online till 4 in the morning regularly

>.>

shouting at your computer and then immediatley apologising like its got feelings or something :(
[/list]
LOL!

You can't mean? It doesn't??? :eek:

I've actually found myself incorporating a lot of interwebspeak in my everyday speech -- stuff like "teh," "btw," "imho," and (one from another forum I frequent) "diaf."

LOL!

You can't mean? It doesn't??? :eek:
mine does but thats cos she's special :)

:fluffle: :fluffle: *smooches moniter* :fluffle:


you think i'm kidding don't you? ;)

mine does but thats cos she's special :)

:fluffle: :fluffle: *smooches moniter* :fluffle:


you think i'm kidding don't you? ;)
I think I have that problem with all inanimate objects. I used to wear shirts sometimes because I was afraid they would feel neglected if I didn't.

Come on people...the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem...

Come on people...the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem...

I admitted it. Now where do you want those pictures sent? ;)

I think I have that problem with all inanimate objects. I used to wear shirts sometimes because I was afraid they would feel neglected if I didn't.
lol never done that with shirts, but i used to apologise to the fridge if i shut the door a little too abruptly :p

[/insane]


oh and *puts hand up* i have an internet problem. there you go sin :)

I admitted it. Now where do you want those pictures sent? ;)
But then I have to reciprocate. And that's not going to happen unless we're actually going to hook up for a fling. Sorry:)

Come on people...the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem...Ok, I'll admit it.. You have a problem :rolleyes:

mine does but thats cos she's special :)

:fluffle: :fluffle: *smooches moniter* :fluffle:


you think i'm kidding don't you? ;)
Ewww! Don't kiss that monitor! You don't know where it's been! :D

Ewww! Don't kiss that monitor! You don't know where it's been! :D
kiss this monitor and you kiss every other monitor or mouse-pad its been with... :eek: :p

But then I have to reciprocate. And that's not going to happen unless we're actually going to hook up for a fling. Sorry:)

The border to Canada is only 10 minutes away...but I bet you're not that close...

I could tell my boss that a client needs training and get the whole thing comped. Let's start exchanging...;)

Ewww! Don't kiss that monitor! You don't know where it's been! :D

It's not the kissing I find distrubing...

I don't understand why he needs 18 bottles of windex to clean it off every week.

In Buffalo there is a radio station that gives away those USB fake vaginas. I often wonder how internet addicted one must be to get themselves one.

1) Do you think the internet is isolating, or expanding people's social horizons?Both, I think. You can meet people here, but be distracted from "real" life too.
2) Do most internet users, namely chatroom or forum users, 'roleplay', or do they present themselves to others more honestly than they would in real life?I'm slightly more open here than IRL, but my shame vanished a while ago so the difference is shrinking ;)
3) Are 'virtual friendships' as valid as real life ones?Where do you draw the lines?
One of my old schoolfriends met his girlfriend through an internet chatroom. I'm now going out with one of her friends. I met her in real life, but without the internet it'd've never happened.
4) How do YOU find balance between your internet social life and your real life social life? Well, as almost everyone I know in Real Life lives a good way away, the only place I can keep in contact with most of them on a regular basis is the internet. This is the only place I frequent where I don't know anyone In Real Life (as far as I know).

1) Do you think the internet is isolating, or expanding people's social horizons.

Expanding. Nothing else gives you the opportunity to get to know so many people from all over the world.

2) Do most internet users, namely chatroom or forum users, 'roleplay', or do they present themselves to others more honestly than they would in real life?

Most people probably roleplay a little, but not in a detrimental way. Just becoming a little more extreme versions of themselves

3) Are 'virtual friendships' as valid as real life ones?

Yes. Absolutely. They can't really serve as a total replacement, but each one individually is just as valid.

4) How do YOU find balance between your internet social life and your real life social life?

I use the internet to keep in touch with my real life friends. If my real life friends want to do something, I won't blow them off for the internet (except in certain circumstances...good old long distance relationships)

Hehehe - signs of internet addiction? Just being me really. If you knew my general routine... well, let's just say it'd make even the most hardened internet user step back, steady themselves on a handy piece of furniture and cry "I say, hold on now, that's a bit sick isn't it?!"

But I wouldn't say it affects my social life - tha'ts what college and stuff is for :D

1) Do you think the internet is isolating, or expanding people's social horizons.

A little of both. If the person is a shut-in, then it can be expansive; but if the person is capable of leaving their home, then it can be very isolating. I will always argue the cause of human interraction. Seeing someone's face when they talk to you is essential and feeling their warmth even more so.

2) Do most internet users, namely chatroom or forum users, 'roleplay', or do they present themselves to others more honestly than they would in real life?

I think it depends on the nature of the forum, but the anonymity of the internet lends itself to all manner of oddities.

3) Are 'virtual friendships' as valid as real life ones?

In a sense, yes, because while the relationship may be one of mutual lack of contact, both parties are humans with human feelings.

4) How do YOU find balance between your internet social life and your real life social life?

My "social life" these days involves mostly 9 year old girls (no, don't get any perverted ideas) so it's nice to interract with adults ... even if it is virtual.

My "social life" these days involves mostly 9 year old girls

:eek: :p

:eek: :p

Quiet, you. :p

The border to Canada is only 10 minutes away...but I bet you're not that close...

I could tell my boss that a client needs training and get the whole thing comped. Let's start exchanging...;)

No reply?! I WIN I WIN!!




















Wait a minute...no pics...no fling...wtf did I win?

kiss this monitor and you kiss every other monitor or mouse-pad its been with... :eek: :p
LMAO! True, true! :D

It's not the kissing I find distrubing...

I don't understand why he needs 18 bottles of windex to clean it off every week.

In Buffalo there is a radio station that gives away those USB fake vaginas. I often wonder how internet addicted one must be to get themselves one.
LMAO! Ewww! Why anyone would need a "fake vagina" is not somthing I want to think about! :eek:

Windex? Can you say "projectile emissions" boys and girls! LOL!

1) Do you think the internet is isolating, or expanding people's social horizons.
Both, I'd say. It is isolating as I don't hang out with people in RL when I'm here (or elsewhere). But it also expands my horizon as I can communicate with others (in English) around here. So that's one of the main reasons I hang out here. (Other from waiting for you to finally post your bikini pictures, that is ;) ).
2) Do most internet users, namely chatroom or forum users, 'roleplay', or do they present themselves to others more honestly than they would in real life?
I usually don't roleplay in a forum like this one - after all, I can be the way I am here, why would I wanna change that? But I don't really hide myself when in RL, it's just easier around here sometimes.
3) Are 'virtual friendships' as valid as real life ones?
Partially true. For talking and spending time together to a certain extend - but nothing beats a real hug, slap on the shoulder or beer drinking and such. Typing's a bitch when liquored up - talking is way easier :p

4) How do YOU find balance between your internet social life and your real life social life?
Mmh. Spend less time here and actually leave my apartement once in a while. The flat rate also helps (as weird as that may sound) for I don't have to look at the clock all the time - it's always there, so I don't have to be in front of the pc all the time. No hurry, no worries.
Besides, I cut down on most online games and just hang out. And university is keeping me busy - that really helps to stay focused on the "important" stuff.

In a way I'm not surprised this post dissappeared. I think people aren't willing to be honest with themselves about their internet problems.

I'm fine with my masturbatory uses of software, hours spent on line, and strange habits like sitting in front of the computer naked with a towel in one hand and....

nevermind...;)

Come on people...the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem...

But where did Sinuhue go? Perhaps a weening program to stay off the internet?