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Lost in cyberspace
(eastday.com)
Updated: 2004-04-07 08:44
Everyone knows about the benefits of the Internet, connecting the world with
information, resources and friendship. But what happens when that enthusiasm for
surfing the Web turns into an obsession? Xu Wei take a close look at the dark
side of the Internet.
Surfing the
Internet has already been a deeply-rooted life habit for lots of youth in
China. [file photo] | Xu Liang is logged onto a hot online game, his furious eyes focused like a
laser on the screen, his fingers adroitly thrumming the keyboard to keep his
dummy warrior victorious. His speed and deftness indicate that he's played this
game many, many times. Xu is 19, and he is an Internet addict.
``My highest daily record of being online is 20 hours during school
vacations,'' brags the vocational school student, the pride in his voice
unmistakable. ``When school is over, I hurry to the computer because I'm afraid
I might be missing something -- you know, instant messaging waits for no one!''
Xu has a point: The virtual world goes on, regardless of whether the computer
is switched on or not, and the user is in front of it or not. The result, for
obsessive users like Xu, is a drive to spend as much time as possible online,
keeping an eye on even the tiniest changes in cyberspace. But the amount of time
he is spending online worries his parents.
``My son is crazy about the Internet, and never goes to bed until midnight,''
complains Xu Xinhua, the boy's father. ``Ironically, he has never shown such
passion or diligence when it comes to his studies. Our attempts to restrict his
use of the computer don't work, either, since he can just go to an Internet cafe
-- and in the end, I'd prefer that he surf the Web where I can see what he's
doing.''
The Internet as a source of intergenerational conflict is an increasingly
common problem in China, where the total number of Internet users reached 79.5
million by the end of last year, and is continuing to rise. The popularity has
also created a new medical problem, and coined a new medical term to go with it
-- ``Internet addiction.''
Although the concept of Internet addiction was initially met with skepticism
and even denial from the public, it has became evident that the more people
logged on to cyberspace, the more they got hooked. ``Signs of Internet addiction
include becoming more irritable and antisocial, a loss of control before the
computer and covering up or being dishonest about your online activities,'' says
Professor Du Yasong, an experienced psychologist at the Shanghai Mental Health
Center.
According to Du, the Internet is a two-edged sword, and it is important to
clearly define the line between normal enthusiasm and what may be an abnormal
preoccupation. ``Healthy Internet use includes bringing your real identity,
interests and skills to the Internet, and communicating via e-mail with friends
and colleagues,'' Du explains.
``Used properly, the Internet is an outlet for learning, creativity and
self-expression. But when real life melds with cyberlife, it can be a problem.''
Psychologists call this condition ``Internet Addiction Disorder'' (IAD). It's an
impulse-control disorder involving tolerance (the need for ever-increasing
amounts of time on the Internet to achieve satisfaction), withdrawal symptoms,
which can include anxiety, depression, irritation, obsessive thinking about the
Internet and even voluntary or involuntary typing movements when Internet use is
reduced, affective disturbances and the interruption of social relationships.
``Everyday we receive many IAD patients who are incapable of extricating
themselves from cyberspace,'' Du adds. ``Some even turn on the computers without
knowing what to do. For them, the benefits of the worldwide Web -- the
information, convenience and resources -- have become detriments.''
The condition is not difficult to understand. In virtual communities and
identities are easily masked -- people can become whomever they choose -- and
emotional attachments are easily developed. They can also seek out the means to
fulfill unmet emotional and psychological needs, which are more intimate and
less threatening than real-life relationships.
Maggie Wang, a frequent 30-something netizen of a noted virtual city Website,
doesn't conceal her strong desire for the Internet. She usually spends more than
five hours a day on the Internet after ending her work as an accountant. ``I
love cyberspace as it puts little pressure on those who are exhausted with heavy
working pressure and eager to accomplish an escape from the ardors of reality,
just like me,'' Wang says, beaming. ``I also have a virtual husband out there.
Without the exposure of one's real identity, such emotional and psychological
ties are easy, relaxed and comfortable.'' Wang's thoughts are echoed by Zhang
Jian, an online game lover in his 20s. ``Despite what people say, I don't think
the cyberworld is cold and cruel,'' Zhang says. ``The emotional connection, the
love and friendship through cooperation and teamwork are the essential charm to
me.
In a sense, we can expect much more from the Internet.'' Some Internet
addicts may also create online personas, altering their identities and
pretending to be someone else. Their virtual roles often represent deep-seated
psychological desires. ``People who suffer from low self-esteem, feelings of
inadequacy and fear of disapproval from others are more inclined to create new
identities on the Internet,'' Du says. ``Such behavior may be an attempt to
control depression and anxiety in the real world and may reflect insecurities
and feelings of inner emptiness.'' Just like the addicts' parents, doctors and
experts never stop worrying about the consequences of Interned addiction from a
health point of view.
Since addicted users are likely to use the Internet anywhere from 40 to 80
hours per week -- approximating the time spent on a full-time job -- it can be
physically harmful. Disrupted sleep patterns and lifestyles can cause excessive
fatigue, weaken the immune system and impair normal function at school or at
work. In addition, the sedentary act of prolonged computer use can result in a
lack of proper exercise and increase the risk for carpal tunnel syndrome, back
strain, or eyestrain. ``But the psychological harm is greater,'' Du says. ``With
the rising psychological reliance on the Internet, people tend to take less
responsibilities in real life.
They become less communicative and more closed, confused between the virtual
land and the real one. Thus normal family relations, and even careers, are
likely to be disrupted by `net binges'.'' Internet addiction aside, there is
also a growing reliance on cellphones and televisions, and cases of addiction to
these new technologies are also found at the mental health clinic. From a
sociological perspective, these addictions mask a syndrome caused by updated
technologies in the modern world, such as overindulgence in short messaging.
``Nowadays People's psychological demands expand in correlation to their
elevated material condition. The better they live, the more they ask for
psychological relaxation. In the world of Internet or short messages, they can
escape from the real-life hustle and bustle,'' explains Professor Yu Hai from
Fudan University's Department of Sociology. ``But what is important to remember
is that one can find a healthy balance between the benefits of the new
technologies and other meaningful activities. Moderation is the key.
Adolescents, in particular, should never run their lives on the Internet alone
-- follow this simple prescription, and you'll find more time to pursue all the
other things that life has to offer.'' Overcoming Internet Addiction While
professional guidance is always the best way to treat any psychological or
physical problems, there are steps you can take to combat Internet abuse on your
own.
1. To begin with, try keeping yourself busy with other activities -- read a
book, call a friend, exercise, go to a movie or just get out of the house and
away from your computer. 2. Another way to control Internet addiction is to use
the computer as part of your recovery. Whenever you're online, use a
time-tracking program to log your activity, and stick to a strict, time-limiting
regiment. 3. List the necessary tasks you need to fulfill when you're on line.
When the tasks are done, turn off the computer at once. A calm psychological
condition is essential to resist the temptation of the Internet. 4. When it
comes to teenagers, parents and teachers should enhance guidance and
communication. Many children consider the Internet a castle for stress-relief.
The point is to solve their problems in real time and give them more
psychological care. 5. For some people, total abstinence may be a reasonable
cure, but that may not be a practical option if your work or school requires
online activity. Thus, the best solution to fight cyber addiction could be a
step-by-step recovery program, which may likely mean professional
assistance.
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