A New Kind of Addiction

BY SOUMAYA EL MOUMNI

The internet has become an inevitable thing in life. It’s a great way of learning, researching and communicating with people everywhere in this world. However, the people using it become less independent. It can also be a very dangerous place for teens with websites that give them access to anyone (such as Myspace and Facebook).

The most common issue with the internet for teens is getting addicted to it which can lead to some serious damages. A study revealed that excessive internet use may cause parts of teenagers’ brains to waste away. This could affect their concentration and memory, as well as their ability to make decisions and set goals. This can also lead to inappropriate behavior.

These teens stay locked in their rooms and express all their frustration and feeling through their computer. They stay there for hours, chatting with anonymous people, instant messaging or playing video games. This may have a negative impact on the teenager, who is already confused and fed up with his life. He starts hating his parents and family, stops going out, skips meals (which can result in anorexia), his school performance declines and his family is the one that suffers most.

There are different kinds of people hooked on the internet. The popular ones, who usually use it to chat with others and tease the ‘nerds.’ It may seem like a game to them, but behind their screen, they don’t realize how their bullying can get to the others. The unpopular ones, who can be victims of cyber-bullying or sexual predators. This can lead to having suicidal thoughts in their head.

Although it seems that our whole lives can be conducted on the internet, with all that it provides for us, we should be careful while using it and especially worried about teenagers.

COMPUTER ADDICTION

IKRAM BELLARABI

Compulsively checking emails, playing online games for a long time, spending hours in chat rooms, neglecting family, work and life obligations. These are the main symptoms of a new form of addiction that has surfaced only in the past few years: computer addiction.

Computer addiction means a disorder when the individual turns to the computer in an attempt to change moods, overcome anxiety, deal with depression, reduce isolation or loneliness, or distract themselves from overwhelming problems.

Like any other addict, computer addicts can suffer from a variety of harmful side effects due to their obsessive behavior. The most common side effects involve their social lives.
Most addicts withdraw from friends and family as they spend more time in front of 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.

Also, computer addiction can cause physical damage like carpal tunnel syndrome, diminished eyesight, weight gain, back problems and blood clots from sitting at the computer for too long. Also, the sleep deprivation can cause drowsiness, concentration problems, weakening of the immune system and even obesity.

To conclude, here are some solutions which can help computer addicts:

• Set a limit of what amount of time on the computer is permissable for you
• Find a new hobby. Discover new things you like to do. Hang out with friends, try out for a play, anything to occupy yourself with something productive
• If those ideas don’t work, consult a doctor, attend therapy sessions or go through counseling