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PBS Digital Nation Covers Internet Addiction

April 15, 2009 By Leticia

After yesterday’s disclosure about my internet addiction, PBS’ Digital Nation staff offered to help me and anyone else who may have a little problem with time spent online.

I may have been making fun of the CNN article for its sensational nature, but internet addiction is very serious in other countries like South Korea.  Last night I watched the South Korea segment on FRONTLINE/World which is called “the most wired place on Earth” because 97% of the houses in country have internet access.  I learned that gaming is a big problem in the country where internet cafes, called PC Bang, are dedicated centers for online gaming where people come and play all night long, often forgoing sleep in favor of playing.

South Korea is the first country to recognize internet addiction as a psychological disorder because of its negative affects on health and performance in school.  Widespread internet addiction caused the South Korean government to intervene by establishing Internet Rescue Camps, 2 week detox programs where addicted youths come to unplug.  Schools are starting to provide education to young children about netiquette in schools.  To learn more about South Korea and see some of the same footage I saw last night, visit the Digital Nation website.

As I watched, I couldn’t help but wonder if this is where we might be headed in a number of years.  Perhaps South Korea is facing these problems first because they are more wired than we are.   As I’ve been blogging I’ve come to realize that it is a reality in many homes due of the sheer numbers of parents who ask me about curbing their children’s time on the internet and hear my students talk about the time they spend on the computer doing things other than homework.   While our country may not be where South Korea is now, I have to wonder if we get there at some point in time.

If internet usage is a problem, the Digital Nation blog has a wealth of links about internet addiction. Follow these steps in order and consider it your 5 step program to recovery.

Step 1: Determine if you are truly addicted to the internet by taking a free online Internet Addiction Test by Dr. Kimberly Young.

Step 2: Read the Internet Addiction Guide by Dr. John Grohol of PsychCentral.

Step 3: Play this interview with Dr. Jerald Block who advocates classifying Internet addiction as an official disorder and read why he thinks it should be included as a mental disorder.

Step 4: Participate in Digital Nation’s live discussion at 11 am EST about internet addiction with psychologist Dr. John Grohol. Since it is a live discussion occurring on their blog, everyone is welcome to ask him questions about internet addiction.

Step 5: Pull the plug like those who attend Internet Rescue Camp. Unplug for a day or two, or even a week.  While it may not completely curtail your internet usage, it might make you think about it a little more.  To see the Digital Nation video footage of the Internet Rescue Camp go to the tab under the video player in the features section.

Even though I’m not planning to take a trip to South Korea anytime soon, I find the discussion about internet addiction fascinating. I almost became a clinical psychologist before I realized I could help more kids as a teacher and spent a great deal studying the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders for my college and gradute level psychology classes.

If internet addiction does become classified as a mental disorder, it will most likely be listed as a clinical syndrome since it is a compulsion that will be defined by excessive gaming, sexual preoccupations, and e-mail/text messaging both on and offline. Characteristics include excessive use, withdrawal, tolerance, and negative repercussions.* It will be listed with other disorders such as anorexia, bipolar disorder, exhibitionism, obsessive compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia.

*From Dr. Block’s Editorial: Issues for DSM-V: Internet Addiction.

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Original post by Tech Savvy Mama
©2012

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Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: Digital Nation, internet issues, PBS

Previous Post: « TONIGHT! PBS Digital Nation Broadcast
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. kim says

    April 25, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    The Truffle beads would be an answer to the yearly prayer of “what to get mom?”!!! She loves trendy things but we can never think of them fast enough or afford them once we do. It’s a double whammy–her birthday is 2 days after mother’s day Shes one that she has mandated two seperate celebrations! This would be so fabulous for us… and alleviate a ton of stress at least for one celebration!!!!

  2. Kim says

    April 25, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    The Billy Jonas or Pink CD would be a delightful and fun gift for the kids to give ME for mothers day. It would be the gift for the whole family… and stop the overplaying of our current kids song collection. I love when the kids are able to give a gift that they can relate to! It would be lots of fun to enjoy together

  3. Kim says

    April 25, 2009 at 2:48 pm

    The 1-800 Flowers would be a terrific was to gift my out of town mother in law. She recently took in her parents (my husbands granparents aged 90+). She claims not to need anything but more time in a day … flowers would be the perfect pick me up and way to say you are special, without giving her another task to do or an knick knack to clean.

  4. Kim says

    April 25, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    OOOH the Casio Digital Camera would be perfect for my best friend for mothers day! She is a stay at home mom/daycare provider with 4 kids under 10 of her own. They struggle so hard to make ends meet but are so generous with others. They are still lugging around a huge 35 mm camera but cant even get the film developed any more due to economics. They have been hoping to go digital but just cant.. If I had extra I would give her one .. this would be an awesome and most appreicated gift for her. And help preserve the pricess memories as her 4 get older each day!

  5. Kim says

    April 25, 2009 at 2:55 pm

    Momagenda.. I need you! I am still adjusting to life with #3 and the older ones schedules are slowing getting out of control. My 10 and 7 year old have so much going on!!! This would help immensely and help remind me to do all that I am supposed to be doing!

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