CHAPTER I

Introduction:

Have you ever thought how much time do you spend using on a computer in a
day/week? Computers are as common in numerous households around the world. People
from all age groups are learning to operate computers and anyone who has worked with
computers for long periods of time knows that computers can be just as addicting as
drinking every night of the week. Take further, Computer addiction can have a number of
physical, social, and psychological effects on a person, and it is to be taken as seriously
as any other addiction that a person is against, but what are those possible effects of
spending too much time on the computer, and what are the causes. There are many causes
for people are addicting on the computer. First of all, students have free access to the
Internet and easily available at most schools' computer lab. Because it is free and most
school provide an e-mail account and have no limit the amount of time for student to log
on. Second, anyone who addicts to Internet has a bigger problem with social life;
especially, people who are easily bored, lonely, shy, relationship problem, lake of self-
confidence and low self-esteem. They may relay on the computer screen to solve personal
problems or meet their needs for companionship. However to ignore what cause people to
addict on the computers, the endless new connections are that draws addicts to all of us.
The effect of students addict on the computer not only can they lose their schoolwork or
jobs but also would become withdrawn from the community. As they become unable to
limit their time spent on-line often for many hours; therefore, students are to minimize
the time communication with others. In addition, as they spent every night of the week on
computer, consequently, they get fail from the school on the other hands, people who
have trouble with their social life not only can they get worse but also can lead to
seriousness psychological problems. As they more likely to meet their needs for
companionship form the Internet the more they become escape from the reality and
become personality disorder. It has met from the article "Internet addiction: genuine
diagnosis or not?" Personality disorders that "psychotic patients like the distancing from
other persons that the Internet supplies."

Computer addiction is emerging. Since the computer technology has to bring new
ideas to all of us, people can use it everywhere, but it also effects of our changing. The
effects either families, school or mental health problems, people who find that the virtual
reality on screens is more attractive to them then everyday reality. It also a phrase that
was unheard of prior to the age of the Personal Computer (PC). Many researchers and
practitioners dispute whether computer addiction is in fact an addiction. However, most
agree that there are characteristics that individuals who are highly devoted to their
computer related activities display that are compulsory in nature. Exposing children to

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technology from the day they are born in this age of technological availability poses risks
at later stages. Parents permit their children access to MP3 players, video games, cell
phones, and computers at younger and younger ages. When these children mature, they
have already developed their views on the proper uses of technology, whether ethical or
not. Some of those views conflict with the accepted standards or codes of ethics
incorporated by many organizations. This paper discusses some possible effects on the
information assets of organizations from the standpoints of ethics and addiction.

There once was a time when the only computers known to the average person
were those the military possessed. Eventually, large corporations found many different
uses for computers in the business world, and today, computers are as common in
numerous households around the globe. People from all age groups are learning to
operate computers and anyone who has worked with computers for long periods of time
knows that computers can be just as addicting as smoking. Computer addiction can have
a number of physical, social, and psychological effect on a person and it is to be taken as
seriously as any other addiction that a person is battling. One common physical effect
computer addiction can have on a person are back problems. Sitting for so long can take a
toll on a person's muscles and can result in poor posture.

In this age of computers, computer addiction will only increase as time passes.
Within the lives of computer addicts it is their friends and family that suffer the most
from this form of alienation. Because of the long hours spent engrossed in a computer,
addicts often have eating irregularities, such as skipping meals and binge eating. Lacking
the desire to make contact with others, means lacking the desire to create new
relationships or to build on already existing ones. They lose the desire for human contact
and communication and in a way they are breaking away from reality. When people think
of addictions, no one ever thinks of computer addiction to actually be common. Feelings
that are common when addicts are at the computer are a sense of euphoria or well-being.
For example lying to employers, and family members about their hours spent at the
computer and also denying they have a problem. They end up having a constant craving
for more time at the computer, and this is where one can identify an addiction. Along
with addiction comes a need to cover up their secret and computer addicts often lie to
those around them.

www.books.google.com.ph, www.en.wikipedia.org, http://computeraddiction.org/

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Significance of the Study

Methodology

3
 Chapter II

Review of a Related Literature

I. What is Computer Addiction

Computer addiction, is a field of psychotherapy that studies impacts of extensive

or obsessive computer use on the user/addict. It is relatively recent academically since
widespread use of computers by the general public for non-professional purposes only
began in the 1990s. However, there are examples of obsessive recreational users dating
back to the first time-shared computer games, and many Net news users were considered
obsessive in the 1980s. As Internet use, game consoles from Nintendo and Sega, and PC
games spread through the turn of the century, and traditional off-line activities such as
Politics and dating began to exploit on-line capability, computer addiction became a more
serious study, and a more serious social concern. Though with almost ubiquitous use of
computers in the 21st century it became more and more difficult to distinguish users who
were merely highly engaged in their computer use from those who were truly addicted.
Criteria based off of the DSM-IVs criteria for substance dependency are often used to
distinguish extensive use of computers from excessive use, or addiction. It also a loosely
used term with Internet Addiction, or Video game addiction, is the excessive or
compulsive use of computer the extent that it interferes with daily life. This disorder may
affect the following: social interaction, mood, personality, work ethic, relationships,
thought process. It may also cause social disorders or possibly sleep deprivation. It is
important to note that as of now, psychologists are not sure how to label this disorder.
Many refer to it as Internet Addiction Disorder; however, computer addiction originated
long before Internet use is as common as it is today. In addition, the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has yet to recognize this exact disorder, and are
more likely to include a more specific term of addiction, such as Internet Addiction, or
Video game addiction.

Some people develop bad habits in their computer use that cause them
significant problems in their lives. The types of behavior and negative consequences are
similar to those of known addictive disorders; therefore, the term Computer or Internet
Addiction has come into use. While anyone who uses a computer could be vulnerable,
those people who are lonely, shy, easily bored, or suffering from another addiction or
impulse control disorder as especially vulnerable to computer abuse. Computer abuse can
result from people using it repeatedly as their main stress reliever, instead of having a
variety of ways to cope with negative events and feelings. Other misuses can include

4
procrastination from undesirable responsibilities, distraction from being upset, and
attempts to meet needs for companionship and belonging. A disorder in which the
individual turns to the Internet or plays computer games in an attempt to change moods,
overcome anxiety, deal with depression reduce isolation or loneliness, or distract
themselves from overwhelming problems. The elderly, as well as children and
adolescents, are particularly vulnerable because they may not realize the extent of their
dependency. In many instances, individuals with computer addiction may seek help for
another condition, such as depression, phobias or other addictions

II. How Computer Addiction works?

The various types of computer addicts have different reasons for their habits.
Obsessive chat room use or e-mailing might fill a void of loneliness, while excessive
viewing of pornography might stem from relationship problems or childhood abuse. The
matter is further complicated by the fact that a computer is a useful tool. It's not like
heroin, for example -- there are many legitimate reasons why someone might spend hours
using a computer. Even if someone uses a computer extensively for purely recreational
purposes, that doesn't necessarily represent a real addiction any more than someone who
spends hours working on a model train set, making quilts or gardening is "addicted" to
those activities. Even the agreed-upon definition of addiction itself has evolved over the
decades and remains a matter of debate in the medical community. As a result of all these
complications, any single definition of computer addiction is necessarily broad and a
little vague. If the computer use is so pervasive that it interferes with other life activities,
and if the user seems unable to stop using the computer to excess despite negative
consequences, the problem might be a computer addiction.

Recognizing Computer addictions:

Much of our understanding of computer addiction comes from decades of research on

other addictions, like alcoholism or gambling addiction. Psychologists have identified
several danger signs for computer addiction. Any of these signs would be a red flag, and
multiple signs could mean there's a real problem.

• Staying on the computer for much longer than intended, or not noticing the
passage of time while using the computer
• Making conscious efforts to cut back on computer time and repeatedly
failing

• Thinking frequently about the computer when not using it or constantly

looking forward to the next opportunity to use it.

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 • Hiding the extent of computer use from family and friends

• Using the computer as an escape when feeling depressed or stressed

• Missing events or opportunities or failing at non-computer-related tasks

because of time spent on the computer. This could include poor job
performance or missing out on family activities.

• Continued excessive computer use despite incurring negative

consequences, such as marital problems or getting in trouble at work due
to computer use.

Negative Effects of Computer Addictions:

Computer addiction can have a variety of negative effects on a person. The most
immediate are social. The user withdraws from friends and family as he spends more and
more time on the computer. Relationships begin to wither as the user stops attending
social gatherings, skips meetings with friends and avoids family members to get more
computer time. Even when they do interact with their friends, users may become irritable
when away from the computer, causing further social harm. Eventually, excessive
computer use can take an emotional toll. The user gradually withdraws into an artificial
world. Constant computer gaming can cause someone to place more emotional value on
events within the game than things happening in their real lives. Excessive viewing of
Internet pornography can warp a person's ideas about sexuality. Someone whose primary
friends are screen names in a chat room may have difficulty with face-to-face
interpersonal communication. Over the long term, computer addiction can cause physical
damage. Using a mouse and keyboard for many hours every day can lead to repetitive
stress injuries. Back problems are common among people who spent a lot of time sitting
at computer desks. Late-night computer sessions cut into much-needed sleep time. Long-
term sleep deprivation causes drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, and depression of the
immune system. Someone who spends hours at a computer is obviously not getting any
meaningful exercise, so computer addiction can indirectly lead to poor overall physical
condition and even obesity.

Eventually, the consequences of computer addiction will ripple through the user's life.
Late-night use or use at work will affect job performance, which could lead to job loss.
As the addiction takes its toll on family members, it can even lead to failed marriages.

Computer Addiction controversy:

There is a great deal of debate in the medical community about the validity of
computer addiction. There is no doubt that some people use their computers, look at
Internet pornography, play computer games and chat on-line too much for their own
good. There are even some people whose computer use completely consumes their lives.
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However, many psychologists believe computer addiction is a compulsive behavior
linked to an underlying condition, not something that should be classified as an
Addiction. People who suffer from "computer addiction" are really people who can't
control their impulses, say these critics. They claim that some people might identify
themselves as having Internet Addiction Disorder as part of a complex social
reinforcement process. video-game addiction might be the result of fear-mongering --
scaring parents into thinking there's something wrong with their kids. Some critics even
contend that people who are obsessed with on-line gaming are no different from people
who sit on the couch and watch hours of TV every night. In other words, maybe they're
just lazy.

In 2007, the American Medical Association decided that video-game addiction (one
possible component of computer addiction) should not be declared an actual disease,
pending further research. The American Psychiatric Association also resisted a push to
include video game addiction as a mental disorder in the fifth revision of the Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Getting Help for computer addictions:

Whatever the classification, excessive computer use remains a problem for some
people. If you view computer addiction as a "real" addictions similar to alcoholism, the
best way to deal with the problem might be a 12-step program following the precepts of
Alcoholics Anonymous. Your doctor, local mental health services or your local AA
chapter could help you find an appropriate support group. There are on-line support
groups, but results can be mixed -- some compare these to holding Alcoholics
Anonymous meetings in a bar.

If you're looking to curb your computer use, here are some helpful tips:
• Make specific time limits. Set an alarm to go off in one hour and end
computer time when it rings.
• Set aside "computer-free" parts of the day. If your computer use starts
after dinner and extends into the night, get all your computer work done in
the morning and don't touch it after dinner.
• Install software to restrict your access to Web sites that you visit
compulsively. Find a friend you can trust to keep the passwords for the
software so you can't circumvent it.
• Make a list of things you could be accomplishing instead of wasting time
on the computer, and post it prominently near your monitor.

III. Cause and Effect of Computer Addiction

Society:
In the 21st Century, computer addiction isn't all that uncommon

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anymore. Now that anyone can get a relatively good PC without breaking the bank, more
people are getting hooked without even knowing it. I can personally attest to computer
addiction being a real problem in society today. With on-line banking, shopping,
TV/movies, games, and other various means of entertainment, there's really no need to
leave the house other than for physical interaction. It all starts when you open the Internet
browser for the first time and find something that is capable of holding your attention for
what seems like only minutes, which eventually turns into hours. World of Warcraft is
one of the major time 'sink holes, but let's not forget about the companies that produce
and support 'mini games' on Face-book like 'Farm town', 'Yo Ville', 'Mafia Wars', among
others. They're all fueling Internet-goers urges to stay on-line with the promise of more
in-game currency and experience points. Most of us have stayed on the computer much
longer than we had originally intended. But, when you start looking for signs of addiction
you can almost always notice the same pattern. The typical pattern is as follow, lost track
of time, conscious efforts to cut back on computer time and repeatedly failing, thinking
frequently about the computer when not using it, or constantly looking forward to the
next opportunity to use it. Others tend to use the computer as a means to 'escape' from the
'real world' when they're feeling depressed or stressed. The beginning stages of addiction
begin when your need to stay on-line takes precedence over going out with friends and
being socially active. Relationships begin to wither as the user stops attending social
gatherings, skips meetings with friends and avoids family members to get more computer
time. Even when they do interact with their friends, users may become irritable from the
computer, causing further social harm.

Eventually, excessive use of the computer can cause the user completely from society.
When the user is constantly gaming on the PC, it can cause someone to place more value
on something within the game rather than things happening in their real lives, such as
choosing to compete in a 'tournament' at 5 PM when they have class at that time. Some of
the long-term effects of computer addiction which include but are not limited to: carpal
tunnel, diminishing eye sight, weight gain, back problems, and blood clots (from sitting
at the computer for too long). As for the late night computer sessions, these can cut into
much needed sleep time. Long-term sleep deprivation can cause drowsiness, problems
concentrating, and slowing of the immune system. Computer addiction can also indirectly
lead to poor overall physical condition and even obesity. Sooner than later, the
consequences of computer addiction will catch up to the user. Late-night use or misuse
on the job will affect overall job performance, which could eventually lead to demotion
or job loss. As the addiction takes its toll on your immediate family and significant other,
it may eventually lead to a failed marriage. While medical professionals do not agree that
it is possible to become addicted to the computer Internet, it is without doubt a real

8
problem in today's society. With technology advancing every day and computers
continuously getting cheaper, it's only going to get easier and more convenient for
children to stay at home on the computer rather than going to play outside with their
friends. Doctors from around the globe suspect an even larger increase in childhood
obesity and early onset diabetes as more children are choosing to stay 'connected' for
longer time frames. Is computer Internet addiction a real threat to our society? Only time
will tell.
Youth:

A debate is rising among psychologists. With the explosion of passion for

the Internet, some people seem to be a little too excited. Some people spend much time
there. This is a different type of addiction that has invaded the human psyche?
Psychologists are not even sure how to call this phenomenon. Some labels it as “Internet
addiction.” But many people are addicted to their computers long before the Internet in
their lives. Some people are very attached to the computer and not even think about the
Internet. Maybe we should call the phenomenon of “computer addiction.” Now
seemingly mundane and almost accepted addiction that some people develop for video
games. Video games are computers too … very specific computers, but computers.
Various segments of society are addicted with computers. Some children are missing
from the schools for enjoying some games, viewing some videos on computers in the
absence of their parents or in net café. Some ladies are addicted to chatting so much that
they forget their home responsibilities. Many a times teenagers gets involve for Face
book or Workup or some such programs innocently and get trapped in the hands of bad
people, who try to exploit them in various manners and become victims of sex scandals.
There may be some other social aspects which contribute to this type of addiction – like
divorce, losing the job, some fascinating hobby and many more, here people want to get
themselves engaged in something. “Addictions” defined very loosely can be healthy,
unhealthy, or a mixture of both. If you are fascinated by a hobby, feel devoted to it, to
spend as much time as possible to follow it this could be an outlet for learning, creativity
and expression. Even in some unhealthy addictions you can find these positive features
embedded in the problem. . It is causing greatest harm than good, causing serious
disruptions in their ability to operate in the “real” world. Almost anything can be
addictive disease medications, diet, exercise, gambling, sex, investments, employment,
etc. Until now, scientists have not been able to concentrate on this first test trying to
define the set of symptoms that constitute a computer or Internet addiction. Psychologist
Kimberly S. Young Center for Addiction Internet ,classifies families if they meet on-line
in the last four years or more of the criteria below. Of course focuses specifically on
Internet addiction, and not broader category of computer addiction.

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 Education:

Computers are a big factor to education because it is helping teachers,

students and parents communicate. Computers can be used if you are doing an
assignment at home or if you are being tutored on-line. Computers can be used to access
the Internet and the Internet can be used to chat about school, work or any other
educational purposes. Chatting is a good way to learn because you can ask questions on-
line on things you do not know. It has been proven that computer-assisted instruction-
CAI- produces about 30 percent more learning in 40 percent less time and at 30 percent
less cost than conventional classroom instruction. In the 1970's schools started to get a
taste of computerized education. The teachers had to go to school to learn the basic steps
of using the computer. The computers would help students share information with each
other and it also help make writing papers and essays a lot easier and faster. Teachers
were now able to assign students to do research papers on-line. Researching on-line was a
lot easier then going to the library and trying to find the topic you were researching. This
enabled people to find information a lot easier and a lot quicker then going to the library.
The use of computers will change the method of education from 'instructional' to
'constructionist'. When students share the information gained from the Internet it allows
them to think more creatively and more independently. Some people on the other hand
say that computers do not help children improve in the classroom because all they will do
is mess around on the computer. People also argue that a computer can not deliver
information like a teacher and that computers are just a distraction to students just like
video games.

IV. Consequences of Computer Addiction:

Society:

The consequences of computer addiction will ripple through the user’s

life. Late-night use or use at work will affect job performance, which could lead to job
loss. As the addiction takes its toll on family members, it can even lead to failed
marriages. This social consequences are enormous, who has a doctorate in psychology
and has treated patients for two decades. “When you neglect your spouse and develop
serious marital problems, when your job is neglected, when your kids are neglected, these
are serious consequences.

Youth:

Does playing video games negatively effect the time adolescents should be
spending in more developmentally appropriate activities like sports and hanging out with
friends? I’ve got a personal bone to pick with gaming. Although I intellectually
understand the appeal, I emotionally resent the pull of games. Specifically, I wish that
10
sports would once again replace video games. The National Institute of Child Health and
Human Development that focused on the relationship between time spent in video game
play and other activities. The study surveyed 1400+ teenagers and teens aged 10-19 and
found that ONLY 36% of them played video games between 1-1.5 hours a week. But
when these teens did engage in playing video games,they tended to avoid the
“distractions” of responsibilities like homework.

Furthermore, although gamers surveyed DID NOT spend less time than non-gamers with
parents and friends, and seem to not be socially isolated…if they game without friends on
the weekends, they also spend less time with their friends in other activities. So, gamers
seems to attract gamers. Sound like an addict model to you? By far the most conclusive
point of the study is concern regarding gamers’ neglect of school responsibilities (reading
and homework). “Among gamers, on school days in particular, female gamers spent 34%
less time doing homework and male gamers spent 30% less time reading. It seems to me
that video gaming, although not endemic, has the power to pull and attract teenagers into
a certain way of relating with one another. The same way my husband relates to his
cousin when they battle it out on the FIFA football field. And that, although manageable,
video gaming does have consequences even when a teen is not “addicted” to the activity.
I’m interested in learning more about the academic and social outcomes of gaming as
interactive media and technology become more and more a part our modern lives.

V. How to stop Your child's in Computer Addiction

While the computer is an incredibly useful tool and can help you get a lot done,
wasting time on it seems to be all too easy. Lots of kids have problems with spending too
much time on the computer, to the dismay of some parents. Computer addiction,
especially to such features like games or instant messaging, has been described as being
just as powerful as a drug addiction, and while your child may not be to that point, their
excessive computer usage could lead to more serious problems down the road.

Steps:

1. Talk with your child about his/her excessive computer usage. Find out if there are
any specific reasons that he/she spends so much time on the computer sometimes
the computer functions as an escape from reality. If your child is facing problems
that are causing a desire to “escape”, try and address those.

2. Move the computer to an open area if it’s not already in one – sometimes taking it
out of the child’s bedroom is sufficient to reduce their computer usage, and it
makes it easier to monitor their usage.

3. Set a password for the computer so that only you can log on to it. Your child will

11
 have to ask to be logged on to the computer in order to use it. (However, this is
not recommended for older children in the house, who will need this for study etc.
reasons).

4. Find out how bad your child's addiction is, and what exactly your child is addicted
to does your child spend most of his/her computer time playing games, chatting
on-line, or just browsing the Web.

5. If he/she is addicted to learning information, as long as it is legal, safe and decent,

then that should not be an issue. Using the Internet for education, rather than chat
rooms/gaming, is a great use. Programming sites are a useful class of site, and
provide a skill that is good to learn, plus they teach a skill which will be
beneficial. If your child is addicted to learning information, then that is benign,
and useful to his/her education. Praise them for that. If they must use chat rooms,
use educational ones where the emphasis is on learning a skill, not socializing, as
these are less biased towards who and more about Proxy-Connection: keep-alive

6. Set a time limit on the amount of time your child can spend on the computer each
day. In reality, though, time limits seldom work due to the stress of modern life.
As a child gets older, they work it out for themselves, in most cases.

• First, tell your child his time limit and see if he’s able to stick to the limit
himself. This will not work, realistically.

• If he can’t control his time on the computer on his own (which, if his
addiction is serious, will likely be the case), start using a timer. Once the
timer goes off, your child has to get off the computer. However, some
children may discover for themselves that an activity can get tedious after
a while; computing is no different.

• Set a time limit on the amount of time for yourself in order to be a good
role model. If your kids see you following your own rules, then they will
be more likely to follow

VI. Symptoms of Video Game Addiction in Teenager:

Although it hasn't been given an "official" diagnosis, addiction-like behaviors

with computer, video, and Internet gaming have noticeably increased among both
teenagers and adults. Like any addictive behavior, there are signs to look for if you
suspect your teen might have a gaming addiction. Your teen need only exhibit two or
three of these symptoms for his behavior to be considered "addictive."

• Preoccupation

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 Someone who is addicted to computer, video, or Internet gaming often exhibits an
unusual preoccupation with the game or computer when he is away from it. The
teen could seem distracted, irritable, or disinterested and may talk about the game
almost constantly.
• Downplaying Computer Use
It's common for someone with addictive, computer-related behaviors to downplay
the amount of time she spends in front of the TV or computer. The person may
make excuses, saying she "needs" to be on-line, or may outright lie.
• Lack of Control
A person who is addicted, or at risk of becoming addicted to gaming, is unable to
control the amount of time she spends on the computer. She may go on-line with
the intent to spend 15 or 20 minutes, but will keep extending the time until several
hours have passed.
• Loss of Time
Along the same lines, a person may sit down at his computer, again with the intent
to spend only a few minutes, but completely lose track of time and suddenly find
that several hours have passed. It is not unusual for someone with a gaming
addiction to play through the night and only realize how much time has passed
when the sun begins to rise.
• Negative Impact on Other Areas of Life
Because the person spends so much time on the computer or video game console,
other areas of life are neglected. He may grow distant from friends and family
who had previously been close. Homework may go unfinished, causing grades to
slip. In more extreme cases, the teen may even neglect personal hygiene, choosing
to play video games rather than taking a shower.
• Hiding From Negative or Uncomfortable Feelings or Situations
Some people become addicted to gaming because they use it to self-medicate.
When confronted with situations or feelings that are uncomfortable (feeling sad,
arguing with a friend, or getting a bad grade), the person may "hide" in the game
as a method of avoidance.
• Defensiveness
When confronted or asked about his time spent gaming, a person may become
defensive. Denial is often an indication that something is wrong, especially if the
person seems unconcerned that friends and family feel neglected or left out of his
life.
• Misuse of Money
Someone who is addicted to video, computer, or Internet gaming will spend a
disproportionate amount of money on computer-related items. The person will

13
 seem to be continually upgrading hardware, software packages, and accessories.
This becomes an even greater problem if the person spends money that should be
used for bills, groceries, and other necessities.

Though this list is not exhaustive, it provides warning signs for parents, friends, and other
family members to look for if they are concerned about someone's use of video,
computer, or Internet games. This list can also be used as a self-diagnosis tool for those
who believe they may have a problem.

Computer Addiction Symptoms

The first crucial step to stop computer addiction is to know the signs of computer
addiction. However, this can be a difficult task as computer addicts tend to lie to other
people about the time they spend in front of the computer. Nevertheless, if you doubt that
your friend or partner is becoming a computer addict, here are some of the signs that you
may observe in him.

• It has been observed that people who are addicted to computers often do not
realize the amount of time they have spent on the computer. There have been
cases where people started using the computer just for one hour, before sleeping
and got carried away so much that they did not realize it was already morning.
• Though computer addicts experience a feeling of euphoria or well being while on
the computer doing what they are addicted too, they are also said to feel a sense of
guilt for wasting time on it. Due to this reason, they lie to their employers, family
and friends about the time they spent on the Internet.
• As computer addicts realize that what they are doing is not healthy, they try to
restrict the time spent on it. However, most of the times they are not able to
control themselves and tend to spend more time on the computer than they had
thought.
• Another symptom of computer addiction is neglect towards family and friends.
The addict has so many friends on the networking sites, that they tend to avoid the
relationships in their real life. They may forget to attend meetings with friends or
may be even to go for family functions. They are also likely to ignore their partner
or spouse which may lead to breakup or divorce.
• Computer addicts start craving for time to be in front of the computer. They may
be thinking and planning as to what they would do at the next session which
would affect the work and other family as well as social responsibilities.

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SUMMARY/ CONCLUSION

Computer addiction, a loosely used term with Internet Addiction, or Video

game addiction, is the excessive or compulsive use of Computers to the extent that it
interferes with daily life. This disorder may affect the following: social interaction, mood,
personality, work ethic, relationships, thought process. It may also cause social disorders
or possibly sleep deprivation. It is important to note that as of now, psychologists are not
sure how to label this disorder. Many refer to it as Internet Addiction Disorder; however,
computer addiction originated long before Internet use is as common as it is today. In
addition, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has yet to recognize
this exact disorder, and are more likely to include a more specific term of addiction, such
as Internet Addiction, or Video game addiction.

Some people develop bad habits in their computer use that cause them significant
problems in their lives. The types of behavior and negative consequences are similar to
those of known addictive disorders; therefore, the term Computer or Internet Addiction
has come into use. While anyone who uses a computer could be vulnerable, those people
who are lonely, shy, easily bored, or suffering from another addiction or impulse control
disorder as especially vulnerable to computer abuse.
Computer abuse can result from people using it repeatedly as their main stress reliever,
instead of having a variety of ways to cope with negative events and feelings. Other
misuses can include procrastination from undesirable responsibilities, distraction from
being upset, and attempts to meet needs for companionship and belonging.

I there for conclude that we should know our limitation when we are using
computer. Because when we use computer that over in time, we get this social disorders,
sleep deprivation and stress. But based on my investigations the computer addiction is not
harmful to young people, but it helps further to the needs of their welfare. Faster and able
to their work, just like as a American psychologist they also used computer in long hours
but they can't called computer addicts.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

www.google.com

www.en.wikipedia.org

http://computeraddiction.org/

http://www.mindpub.com/art526.htm

http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Your-Child%27s-Computer-Addiction

http://www.wisegeek.com/topics/computer addiction.htm#a=30621&t=default&k

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=15912

http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Computer-Addiction/577770

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/c/computer_addiction/intro.htm

http://books.google.com.ph/books id=j7p1r8Ruv_0C&printsec=frontcover&dq

http://www.video-game-addiction.org/symptoms-computer-addiction-teens.html

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/basics/computer-addiction3.htm

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 APPENDIXES

Computer Addicts

Child Computer Addiction Symptoms of Computer Addict

Impersonal age of Computer Addicts

Computer addict are

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only doing the more demented

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