What are the disadvantages of computer addiction?

The disadvantages of computer addiction and negative consequences are similar to those of known addictive disorders. Some people develop bad habits in their computer use that cause them significant problems in their lives.

The term computer addiction originated long before the Internet.

Disadvantage computer addiction : uses of computers to the extent that it interferes with daily life.

Before discussing options for computer addiction treatment, one point regarding addiction to the computer needs  to be made : Computer addiction is not an official psychiatric diagnosis. Despite a growing movement to have obsessive computer and internet use included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), so far this has not happened.

In relative terms when disadvantages of computer addiction compared to other addictions such as alcoholism and drug addiction, computer addiction is a very new phenomenon. Most of the disorders included in the DSM have been extensively researched and treated in some form for at least fifty years – and many such as depression have been studied for well over one hundred years.

In contrast, the computer itself has only been widely available for twenty or so years. Computer addiction is a relatively new term used to describe a dependency on one’s computer. Computer addiction is not limited to personal computers (PCs). It covers video games and the Internet and has already been given a label by psychologists, namely Internet addiction disorder (IAD). In short, excessive internet use has not been around long enough or sufficiently studied to warrant official disorder status.

Still, is there any doubt that some people spend far too much time online and that this can significantly interfere with their functioning in the “real world”?

Computer addiction is a loosely used term for the excessive use of computers to the extent that it interferes with daily life. Excessive use may explain problems in social interaction, mood, personality, work ethic, relationships, thought processes, or sleep deprivation.

Whether we call this computer addiction, internet addition, or something is largely irrelevant. Online habits that far exceed what most people would consider “healthy”. For example ten-plus hours per day, can have serious consequences for the addict.

In my opinion, computer addiction, like any addiction, can creep up on a person without one being aware of it. There are a lot of disadvantages of computer addiction. The newly diagnosed computer addiction has gained much press attention recently, as children have also been affected. Talk shows are full of people whose relationships have been torn apart by one partner’s computer addiction. Spending hours chatting online, surfing the web or playing computer games can cause relationships to deteriorate as other parts of a person’s life are neglected.

A recent research study showed that some children suffer from computer rage when they are forbidden to play computer games. The results are temper tantrums and behavioral traits similar to those of an addict going cold turkey.

So how exactly is computer addiction defined? When does a hobby become an addiction? As with most other dependencies, specific questions can be asked to assess whether or not someone may suffer from computer addiction. These questions include assessing how much time is spent on the PC or playing video games, sometimes relative to how much time is spent interacting with real people.

Another way to assess computer addiction is to assess one’s quality of life before and after the computer arrived. Many people have lost jobs due to their computer addiction. Constantly logging onto the Internet at work has caused many people to be dismissed, often after repeated warnings were issued. Money is another factor. Some people have gone into debt and lost great amounts of money using online services and chatrooms.

Computer addiction is also sometimes linked to computer gambling. For some people, gambling is reliant on the computer. They cannot have one without the other. Not only do such people spend countless hours playing online poker, but they often lose thousands of dollars while playing.

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 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. Poor posture can result in chronic back problems that require the services of a chiropractor.

Tips on solving disadvantages of computer addiction

As with any addiction, steps can be taken to treat computer addiction. Limiting the amount of time spent on the computer or playing video games is a simple step. If your computer is on all the time at home, switch it off.

Don’t leave the computer near at hand. In order to prevent things from getting out of control, reassure that you understands that if you buy a computer, you will have to respect some rules regarding its usage. The first and most important rule is establish a schedule for using the computer.

Develop a new passion that has nothing to do with computers. The disadvantages of computer addiction in mainly caused by a lack of activities or boredom. Get  out of the house, play with friends or  encourage to invite your colleagues at home. The more friends you has, the better. The important thing for your child is to interact more with the real world than with the virtual one.

More and more people are spending time in cyberspace in a virtual world of their own making. If not treated, this condition can lead to diminished social skills and deterioration in the addict’s quality of life. Take care, the disadvantages of computer addiction is said to be on the increase.