Having just read the post from Erdinc in the Admimistrators thread, I wonder how many of us are addicted to the internet? Or perhaps more to the point, certain aspects of the internet! How much time do you spend on the internet? Is it disturbing/interferring your life in any way? Relationships, eat and sleep patterns, physically, psychologically.................

Like anything, I try to keep my use in moderation and when I have access during my working day, it is sometimes very difficult to resist.

But I also use the internet for research for my job, learn languages, book flights and holidays, buy things, etc so not all bad.....

Then if I had it taken away

I have been making a conscious effort to not come online so much. I think the internet is a wonderful medium, but it IS ADDICTIVE and if you are not careful 'real life' can take second place. I think it's great in moderation, but if you're not careful you could end up spending half your life sat in front of your PC instead of appreciating the wonderful REAL WORLD out there!

I don't think it is any more addictive than television or music......

Most people have a TV in their living room, I have a computer and good music system (I don't own a TV). Ultimately the internet is just a communication tool. Most of my friends I know through the internet either directly or indirectly.

Now ask the same question about computer games and you might get a different answer - but I NEVER play computer games

I know it is sad......
But it is not unusual for my girlfriend and I to be sat in the same room, with a laptop each, chatting on MSN!!! Or even laying next to each other in bed chatting on MSN

I use it for research. To email and msn my friends and of course to look for holidays. Now I have discovered Turkish Class I am on all the time trying to pick up more of the language.
Better than being a soap addict at least we are learning and having discussions....better for the brain than tv.

Still make it to the gym
Jo-Anne

A year ago I would answer differently but today internet is connection to my wonderful friends. I can't imagine my life without them.Elisa is right if it had be taken away, it would be the end of my life too.
I never watch TV and don't have regrets, nice music is on all the time. What else we need for great conversation with lovely friends?

its hard to agree with erdinc but i cant help to agree with him about this subject anyway

its totally addiction for me too..even if i have telephone to connect with friends internet is sth special...like after shave cologne ....even if its not necessity i like iti love,im addicted....its sometimes a happiness and fun center ..sometimes informative ...sometimes good thing to spend time...to reach somebody.....

to sum up: its very important for me ..i hate tv but i love internet ...cheers internet lovers

There were times in my life, when I thought that I couldn't live without an internet connection. I became a freak, online 22 hours a day, sleeping the other 2. I neglected my family, my work, my friends. When it was not working, I was driven crazy. I was feeling desperate. Once, it shut down (it was Friday evening) and the technician told me he couldn't fix it before Monday. I went to the closest shop and bought a new laptop, not to spend the weekend offline. I think it was the worst addiction I ve ever had.

Recently, a couple of months ago, I decided to take it easy and pay some attention to my real life as well. Summer and holidays helped a lot. Now, I can tell that it wont kill me if I spend a few days with no connection at all. And if my best friends were not here, maybe I could stay away from it more.

Well, I can tell that right now, I m having a quite healthy relationship with my pc. Using it as the easiest way to get in touch with people very important and close to me, or as a library, to look for information when I need to. I m not addicted anymore, and so I will remain, I hope...

OMG Twinny! I could have written what you wrote above! I was exactly the same until very recently. My PC is still away being repaired and i did exactly the same as you - went out and bought a laptop because I couldn't handle being offline

I have started to realise that friends and family were becoming SECOND to my online friends, and have tried to balance this out more, and get more exercise, fresh air, and more importantly SLEEP !

I still love to come here, but plan my time better, pre-arrange msn times with people and feel I have a better balance now.

Incidently (bod!) i dont watch TV as a substitute - its just as bad !

What a twinny would you be if you were different, eeeeh?

I ll agree with you about TV as well. It is just an ugly, useless piece of furniture in my living room. And it has been so for years now

If I don't have an internet connection it feels likes I have an arm missing!!!