A Challenge to Internet-addicts to Log Off from Their Machines and Experience the Real World

In an effort to encourage tech addicts and social-networking savvy people to let go of their obsession with Internet through smartphones and laptops, a challenge has been put forward

In an effort to encourage tech addicts and social-networking savvy people to let go of their obsession with Internet through smartphones and laptops, a challenge has been put forward to them to see if they can stay 'logged-off' for 24 hours and enjoy the real world in its true sense.

Under the challenge being extended by 'Reconnect Project', it tests whether Internet addicts can let go of their 'constant' connectivity with the web for 24 hours and experience the real world.

High School Internet Addicts Have a Doubled Risk of Self Harm
High school students who are hooked on to the net are likely to self-harm themselves, according to a new study.

"We issue you the challenge...an online blackout - no Facebook, no twitter. Log off and start creating," the New York Daily News quoted a video created to promote the project, as stating.

The challenge that will take place on Sunday, September 2, 2012, encourages people to take a day off from their devices, and then upload what they've done with their unplugged time on the next day, September 3.

"It's not a festival, there's nothing to win, but lots to gain," the project states on its Facebook page, where the creators are also fielding creative suggestions and answering skeptics.

Electro-shock Therapy for Internet Addicts Banned in China
The Ministry of Health in China has decided to abandon the practice of administering electro-shock therapy as a treatment for Internet addiction.

"We would just like to see the project be successful - we don't stand to gain anything as such, as unbelievable as that may be - altruism does still exist," an administrator for the project told a commenter on the page.

The idea of 'unplugging' has been gathering attention lately, as some studies suggest people are overly attached to their Internet connections. A recent poll also found that about 84 percent of people couldn't pass a single day without their mobile device in hand, the report said.

Depression Plagues Teen Internet Addicts
Internet addicition doubles the risk of depression in teenagers when compared to more controlled surfing, states a study.

Source-ANI