Are you addicted to the Internet? (A test)

I had a friendly little debate with my two boys the other evening as to which one of us spends the most time on the Internet.

In reality, it's probably a tie, with all of us racking up a lot of online time. A lot of nights all three of us are simultaneously working away on our machines, me in the den, each of them in their own rooms, and we often see each other only in passing in the night in the kitchen as we take snack breaks. Sometimes this goes on until the middle of the night or later. (We're a bunch of night owls). So are we spending too much time on the net?

My older son is excused, as he is a self-employed computer programmer and has reason to be on the net, as it is his "job." (Websites are his specialty). The younger one is into artistic design and looks at lots of such sites for inspiration, so I'll cut him some slack, too.

Me? Well I'm going to have to 'fess up and say I have a never-ending fascination for the Internet, and some nights I get into site-hopping and link-clicking so much and in such a way that the time just flies by. Some nights I almost have the following conversation with myself: "It's 2AM, it's time to go to bed." "No! No! Just one more website, just one more!"

Naah! I'm not really "addicted." But like most everybody, I eventually get to the point where I realize enough is enough and finally go to bed..

So, do you ever feel that way or wonder about yourself and your web use? It seems there are now "tests" one can take to get a feeling for just how much this may (or may not) be a problem. Of course how much such "tests" are worth is a matter of debate in itself.

The link below is to a site which administers various psychological tests, including one for supposed addiction to Internet use.

Should be taken with fun in mind more than anything else, but maybe it does to some extent tell one something about one's web use habits.

Anyway, a bit of a distraction. Enjoy!

www.healthyplace.com/psychological-tests/internet-addiction-test/

I scored 47 on this test, BTW, which it says puts me on the high side of "average" user. (Actually, considering the amount of time I do spend on the net, I was a bit surprised I didn't score higher than that, which would have put me into the "problem" group!).

Incidentally, "Internet addiction disorder" is starting to be taken seriously as a form of behavioral problem:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_addiction_disorder

yes I am. have been for years. look at all the people on their phones all the time. I have plenty of company .

ed

I would still be on a cheap dial-up just to get email if it were not for my job (yes, my email provider still supports that). Since I can't work in the office anymore (and was already required to have a pc online 24x7, no days off, for emergencies at work), I have a fixed connection for work.

I actually despise the internet and cell phones for the disruption they've brought to our lives. It was nice to take the evening walk without fear of being disturbed by someone who couldn't tell their (ok, you get my drift).

Yes.

Hey that's my line, it's 2am and I need to go to bed. Actually, I didn't have this problem until I developed PC. I'm always getting ideas to research, and like you said the next thing you know it's well after midnight. The problem with that for me is I don't want to get up the next morning at a decent time.

I got a 38.

I think I am mch more addicted than the test indicates

Mel

Ask your wife.....Or has she already packed up and left ....

I can walk or bike-ride around my suburban neighborhood, sometimes covering several miles, an area where over 1000 people live and never see another human being except those driving around in cars....

Took the test, got a 24, and was pissed there were not enough "never" options.

Bp is up 20 for a BS exercise in BS.

26, I agree with 142 BS. too vague and ambiguous questions. Is going to a library for research or pleasure reading a sign of addiction. Yikes!

Cheers, Doug