Effects of Computer Addiction

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Computer Addiction

“Effects of Computer addiction to Human Lifestyle”

A Research Paper Presented to Prof. Ma. Teresa Trinidad Mapua Institute of Technology

In partial fulfillment Of the requirements in English for Academic Purposes 2 (ENG11)

By Diana Unice O. Bayonito Jasper Irvin C M. Bentalan Bryan C. Benigno John Paul De Leon

November 2011

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Computer Addiction

Abstract

Our group is investigating about the effects of Computer Addiction to one’s lifestyle. The main idea of our research is to prove that computer addiction has negative effects. We were able to gather reliable information by interviewing a psychiatrist about the effects of computer addiction. We also interviewed a computer addict to support the information we have already gathered from the psychiatrist. By interviewing both of the subjects, the psychiatrist and the addict, we found out that computer addiction can truly damage a person’s physical, psychological, and social health. We’ve also reviewed the profile of a typical computer addict and were able to identify several symptoms/indicators to verify whether a person is addicted to the computer or not. Our group also researched for possible treatments to cure the said addiction. Based from the information we’ve gathered, it is safe to say that computer addiction can cause damage to one’s lifestyle.

Computer Addiction

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INTRODUCTION What is Addiction? As defined by Dr. Michael Miller: “Addiction is a ‘primary,

chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry (Miller, 2010).’” Simply put, Addiction is the uncontrollable seeking and overuse of an object. Addiction is not limited to objects; it could apply to certain activities and behaviors as well. Addiction can be classified into two types: “chemical, and non-chemical.” The chemical type of addiction includes: drugs, alcohol, cigarette smoking, and the like. On the other hand, the non-chemical includes: sex, shopping, computer, etc. What is Computer Addiction? Computer addiction can be defined as the compulsive use of the computer in an attempt to overcome anxiety or depression, it is already considered as a disease nowadays. A person can be diagnosed as a computer addict if he/she spends a lot of time in front of the computer, either playing games or surfing the internet. A lot of factors can be taken into consideration as to why computer addiction exists, one example of this is Online Gambling, people participate in this event hoping to gain profit from it and when they do, they’ll continue to do it due to the amount of money that they gain from winning. Computer addiction is similar to all the other types of addiction because they have a common goal; and that is to let their victims escape from their problems in real life (MedicineNet, Inc., 2003).

II.

Computer Addiction: It’s Effects on Human Lifestyle.

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Computer Addiction

Computer addiction is a very alarming issue of today and the main causes of computer addiction are: online chatting, shopping, gambling, pornography, and gaming. According to the website callima.com (2011), the worst types of computer addiction are gambling and pornography. Computer addicts waste a lot of money in gambling and because of this, they acquire serious debts. These forms of computer addiction can truly destroy one’s lifestyle and his/her social health. Carter, J. (2007, May 4) states that serious debts have been incurred by these computer addicts. Some have even lost everything, their family, homes, possessions and even more extreme, their lives. Ever since technology developed, a lot of new things have flourished; an example of this is the internet. Through the use of the internet, we are able to access and read about things that we never even knew existed, our mind is fed with constant information. But these gifts of modern technology are being misused. Most of the computer addicts are the minors and they forget to eat and sleep because they cannot leave their computers. Minors have become computer addicts and spend half a day to play. Some reports stated that minors don’t eat and sleep because of playing computer games or surfing the internet. Computer addiction interferes with daily life, and it is considered to be a serious problem that even government makes a step to prevent this problem (Kumar, 2010).

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Computer Addiction

The researchers found out that people become addicted to computers because many people turn to internet to relieve their stress and unpleasant feeling. The User is using the internet to escape their problems because internet is easy to access. Since the internet is easy to access many people is hooked up on the games, watching movies, and other stuffs that you can do in the internet. You are an addict when you want the computer so badly despite the consequences. You just can’t stop it and the behavior occupies more and more of their time. The computer addicts become irritable, angry or depressed when you try to stop them on using the computer. (http://www.helpguide.org/mental/internet) Using too much computer has a lot of effects on one’s life. One of it is losing the social life of the person. They no longer spend time with his/her family because the priority of the user is the computer so their relationship starts to wither not only in family but also other relatives and friends because to the lack of time to socialize with other. Using too much computer can cause someone to put more attention on the game than on the real life. Too much viewing of pornography can warp a person’s ideas about sexuality. There are also some physical effects on a person like having back problems for too much using of mouse and keyboard. Staying late night leads to lack of sleep time. Due to the lack of sleep time the immune system of a person is going down, so basically you are more prone to sickness and your health is at risk. Long term sleep deprivation causes, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating and depression of immune system. There are also some risk factors on being a computer addict. (www.howstuffworks.com/internet/basics/computer-addiction)

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Computer Addiction

The computer addicts use the internet to built a new relationship with other people and be confident on interacting with them. Because of this a person loses their confidence on their self to socialize with others personally because in internet you can say anything you want without them seeing their reactions. You have any other addiction. Many internet addicts suffer from other addictions such as drugs, alcohol, gambling and sex. (www.helpguide.org/mental/internetcybersexaddiction.htm) Computer addiction has a serious negative consequence that leads to unlawful behaviors and brushes the law. Because of the user being hooked too much to computer they destroy their relationship to their other relationship losing their friends, marriages are broken .Computer addicts often sacrifice other parts of their lives, such as family and social activities and exercising. And the Computer addicts suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). First what is OCD? Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is when some people who would normally conduct daily activities and rituals with no difficulty, begin to lose control of what once were normal routine actions. There are no specific causes of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. There are times the root cause of computer addiction like many other forms of addiction is mood disorder and relationship disorder. Depression, boredom, social anxiety or a dysfunctional family may lead a person to find a “cure” in something that is not threatening. (http://www.mindpub.com/art526.htm)

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Computer Addiction

We may wonder why teenagers and even adults around the globe are hooked on using the computer. Well, to understand the depth of the problem regarding computer addiction we must first know what addiction is. According to Rasmussen (2000), “Addiction is a broad term that embraces both substance-related (chemical) and behavioral (nonchemical) problems. Addictive disorders include (a) substance use disorders, more specifically substance dependence and substance abuse and (b) substance-induced disorders, such as intoxication, withdrawal, and flashbacks.” (p.7) Addiction is also said to be “maladaptive” or giving the person more problems than help. Usually, addiction becomes a part of a person’s life therefore he or she often relies on it. An addict fails to see the damage and misfortune addiction brings since it’s his only way to escape his anxieties and problems. Addiction is no doubt a serious problem therefore one should seek help for immediate remedy. (Hartney, 2011) http://addictions.about.com/od/howaddictionhappens/a/defaddiction.htm WAYS ON HOW TO PREVENT/TREAT COMPUTER ADDICTION Deterioration of real life relationships, grave attachments to cyber life leading to personal issues and an unhealthy mental and physical body are the usual situations and issues encountered with the excessive use of the computer. This brings tremendous disadvantages and hurtful outcomes faced by the computer-addicted person. (jbdoria, 2008) http://jbdoria.i.ph/blogs/jbdoria/2008/08/10/computer-addiction/ In fact, there was a boy aged fourteen who was arrested in Hong Kong for battering his mother, three more teenagers who almost committed suicide and another group of young people who attacked their parents all for one reason, for reprimanding them

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Computer Addiction

about their excessive use of the computer. This is an example of “domestic violence” said a certain social worker named Tan Kong-sau. He said parents should consider talking to their children to limit their use of the computer. (GMAnews, 2011) http://ph.news.yahoo.com/computer-addicted-boy-beat-mom-hk-092016755.html Now, how can a computer addict limit or stop his computer use? Therapy is a big help for a person with addiction. “Cognitive-behavioral therapy” is a chain procedure in order to control or even break the problem with addiction. It can also help with the dilemmas and stress faced by a person. Counseling is also available if a person encounters relationship problems because of his or her addiction. (Saisan, Smith, Robinson, and Segal, 2010) http://www.helpguide.org/mental/internet_cybersex_addiction.htm For those who cannot afford therapy, here are some tips on how to end your addiction from the famous Dr. Phil, a psychologist and a host of his self-titled show: 1) Know why you do that certain type of addiction. 2) You have to be logical and reasonable. Acknowledge that your addiction is unhealthy for you. 3) Defy bad habits and switch to a better and beneficial one like exercising 4) Know when you are most inclined into pampering yourself through your addiction and cease yourself from doing it. 5) Change your lifestyle and cut your access to addiction.

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Computer Addiction

6) Seek assistance from people close to you and find a remedy for your addiction. 7) Acknowledge and merit yourself for every development and improvement you make. (Dr. Phil, N.Y.) http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/173 III.

Conclusion Based on the information that the researchers have gathered and the

answers that were provided through their interviews and research, it is safe to say that computer addiction can truly damage a person’s physical, mental, and social health. A lot of factors can be taken into account as to why computer addiction is considered as a major problem to society nowadays. The researchers have found out that the two major causes of computer addiction are Online Gambling and Pornography. There are several ways to treat computer addiction and one example of an effective way is to consult a psychiatrist. But, treatment for this kind of addiction would be impossible if the person is not interested in correcting his bad habits. One should also be committed into healing him/herself for the treatment to be successful.

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References:

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=15912 http://sobercollege.com/treatment-options/gaming-and-computer-addiction/ http://www.helpguide.org/mental/internet www.howstuffworks.com/internet/basics/computer-addiction www.helpguide.org/mental/internetcybersexaddiction.htm http://www.mindpub.com/art526.htm http://addictions.about.com/od/howaddictionhappens/a/defaddiction.htm http://jbdoria.i.ph/blogs/jbdoria/2008/08/10/computer-addiction/ http://ph.news.yahoo.com/computer-addicted-boy-beat-mom-hk-092016755.html http://www.helpguide.org/mental/internet_cybersex_addiction.htm http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/173

Computer Addiction

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