In Helsingin Sanomat (the leading Finnish newspaper) (21.2.1998) a note
was published which asked "Are you a net addict?". A-klinikkas��ti�
("Alcohol Clinic Foundation") asked the persons who feel addicted to
net, to contact them and describe personal experiences about the problem
(e-mail: [email protected]; homepage: www.a-klinikka.fi).
This sounds to some degree surprising idea. What do you think about net
addiction, might it be a real problem for somebody? The note was
published on the youth page (nuorisosivu) - it seems to be assumed as a
problem of kids.
The following thoughts came into my mind:
1) Possible addiction to net may be a point of view related thing: for
instance parents may think their kids are addicted, even if the kids
feel OK.
2) Possible addiction to net may depend on time horizon: in a short run
there may be some problems visible, but in the long run the "addiction"
may be non-existent (net life proved to be useful. e.g. as the
"addicted" got a good job because of his/her net experience).
3) In certain sense, a person may become "addicted" to almost whatever
harmless activity (sex, games, plays, film, music.....).
Cheers,
Pekka