It is a fact that the Internet presents a lot of distractions, but most people even can't imagine a day without Facebook or Twitter.
But in a lecture at SXSW last week, University of Chicago psychologist Michael Pietrus floated a provocative hypothesis: Maybe the Internet is giving us all the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Internet Addiction Disorder
Internet addiction disorder is of 3 types, excessive gaming, sexual preoccupations and email / text messaging.
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"We are not saying that Internet technologies and social media are directly causing ADHD. But the Internet can impair functioning in a variety of ways that can mimic and in some cases exacerbate underlying attention problems," Pietrus cautions.
ADHD kids are impatient, restless, impulsive and easily bored. Adults with ADHD, unlike kids, usually aren't 'hyperactive' in the conventional sense. But they can be easily distracted and easily bored. They lose interest halfway through completing a task.
![Fear of Missing Out Drives Internet Addiction in Japan]( "Fear of Missing Out Drives Internet Addiction in Japan")
For Japanese teenager Sumire, chatting with friends while she sits in the bath or even on the toilet is normal.
The Internet promises two things: instant gratification and an endless entertainment and information options. If you don't like one thing within the first five seconds, you can jump to something else. Hence, there is an exact relationship between the Internet and ADHD.
Pietrus says it is important to realise that pushing back against these symptoms requires a careful, intentional strategy.
Studies suggest that mindfulness and meditation could help people sustain their attention, even online; Pietrus also suggests techniques like expressive writing or "chunking," which helps short-term information stick in your mind.
"The biggest thing is to increase awareness and understanding of what social media and technology are doing to us. Once we acknowledge the potential effects on our brains, we can make better-informed choices about our actions and behavioural patterns," Pietrus said.
Source: Medindia
Fear of Missing Out Drives Internet Addiction in Japan
For Japanese teenager Sumire, chatting with friends while she sits in the bath or even on the toilet is normal.
Advertisement
The Internet promises two things: instant gratification and an endless entertainment and information options. If you don't like one thing within the first five seconds, you can jump to something else. Hence, there is an exact relationship between the Internet and ADHD.
Pietrus says it is important to realise that pushing back against these symptoms requires a careful, intentional strategy.
Studies suggest that mindfulness and meditation could help people sustain their attention, even online; Pietrus also suggests techniques like expressive writing or "chunking," which helps short-term information stick in your mind.
"The biggest thing is to increase awareness and understanding of what social media and technology are doing to us. Once we acknowledge the potential effects on our brains, we can make better-informed choices about our actions and behavioural patterns," Pietrus said.
Source: Medindia
Too Much Internet Use Causes Mental and Social Problems: Research
A research by Public Health England has revealed that children who spend too much time on internet face risk of mental and social problems such as loneliness, depression and heightened aggression.
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