Computer Addiction: Side Effects and Possible Solutions

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Since 1979 when the first microcomputer came to the US and Great Britain there has been very extensive growth in the areas of computers. Since that time humanity started to speak of different signs of “computer addiction” – the term stands to emphasize the seriousness of the problem and implies the possibility of drastic consequences that computer mania might have. Contrary to existing views the problem of computer addiction exists, humanity needs to be extremely cautious of its bad effects and it has to work out appropriate treatment to help computer-dependent people to solve their problems. In the current paper, we will explore the problem with the emphasis made on the bad effects of computer addiction and possible solutions that might be offered to reduce them to a minimum or to get rid of computer addiction at all.

The reality of modern life is such that personal computers and Internet access have been proliferating across the world. Everyday activities at home, work, and school are increasingly dependent upon computers. Through the Internet, the computer becomes a useful tool for communication. The importance of computers and the Internet, in particular, can hardly be overestimated but their properties that promote addictive behaviors should not be neglected. Cyberspace that computers and the Internet create may result in cyber disorders such as virtual relationships that evolve into online marital infidelity or online sexually compulsive behaviors. An increasing mental health concern, cyber disorders have been identified to diagnose serious issues related to Internet use (Young & Rogers 25). The side effects that computer overuse has to speak for the fact that computer addiction exists.

Moreover, the existence of computer addiction in modern society is proven by Margaret Shotton’s research. The author conducts an investigation that proves the existence of computer dependency through obtaining the facts from a number of sources, namely, existing literature on the problem, the authors of the literature, and other psychologists, computer studies teachers, and professional care agencies. Personal contact was made with people who worked with computers and average computer users. They all showed belief in the occurrence of the syndrome of computer dependency. Though the respondents did not consider the syndrome to be a widespread problem believing that it affected only a few individuals among the vast number of computer users but the research still confirmed the existence of the syndrome of computer dependency (Shotton 20).

The research has shown that interviewees had both psychological (inability to stop the activity; neglect of family and friends; problems with them, etc) and physical (carpal tunnel syndrome; dry eyes; migraine headaches; backaches) symptoms of computer addiction. Though most of the dependents did not want to admit their addiction some did admit that they experienced negative effects from their activities. Some interviewees spoke of the negative effects that their computer addiction had on their employment. One person admitted that in the past he had spent time playing with the computer while he was at work. But the addiction disappeared when he bought his own home microcomputer upon which he had unrestricted access to the program as he wished. Another interviewee admitted that it was difficult for him to concentrate at work, instead of handling the problems that appeared he found himself puzzling over computer problems that he could explore only while at home. This turned out to be especially problematic when he was cycling home from work as not once he had nearly ridden into parked vehicles. Computer addiction was observed with people of different occupations, therefore, there is no strict rule as to who can fall victim to computer addiction and who cannot.

What one can state firmly is that computer addiction has negative effects on the process of learning. Students of different ages admitted that their academic performance suffered because of their devotion to computing. “My schoolwork suffers”, “It detracts from my schoolwork”, were the commonest answers of those who realized they were achieving lower standards academically (212) Therefore, it is also teachers’ concern to help the students get rid of computer addiction.

Constant involvement with computer activities influences the social lives of dependents. Computers take much of dependents’ free time and, as a result, less time is spent communicating with others. Different misunderstanding appears on the basis of the absence of common interest to computing. Many respondents from Shotton’s research admitted that they found computing an escape from social interaction: they found it stressful in the past and computers enabled them to get rid of the undesired communication. Domestic disharmony, problems in sexual relationships – these were the commonest Negative effects of computer addiction on a family scale (213). To reduce them some help from dependent friends, family members are needed. Their task is to help the addict realize that no machine can substitute real communication.

Other side effects are those on the personalities of the dependents. People addicted to computers tend to be more intolerant and impatient with others. The computer becomes a sort of refuge from real life for them and they become more reserved and restrained. Sometimes a computer-dependent person loses interest in the world around him and does not care about one’s happiness. This occurs because the computer is seen by this person as the only “creature” in the world that can understand him or her.

The negative physical effects of computer addiction include restlessness, sleeplessness, tension, headache, and backache. If computer dependents suffer from some disease the disease worsens while constantly working on the computer.

Internet addiction as a form of computer addiction deserves special consideration. An Internet-addicted person loses the ability to control one’s use of the Internet. This lack of control causes marked distress and/or functional impairment (Shapira et al. 270). The addiction may go along with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or alcohol and drug addiction. The most obvious symptoms of Internet addiction include social isolation, family discord, divorce, academic failure, job loss, and debt (Young et al. 475). Other symptoms are: neglecting responsibilities, feelings of depression, tension, anger when the Internet is not accessible, etc. There are five Internet-related issues that Internet addiction is composed of cyber sexual addiction, cyber relationship addiction, net compulsions, information overload, and addiction to interactive computer games (476). No matter what type of addiction a dependent suffers from the side effects of it are always serious. Actually, they are the same as the ones of computer addiction in general. Internet addiction influences negatively relationships within families and may even bring significant financial problems. As it was stated above the dependent’s realization of the problem is needed as well as help from friends, teachers, and members of the family. Still, specialized help is the most effective.

Treatment options for computer addiction include:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. It is based on Beck’s (1976) theory that thoughts determine feelings. The theory encourages the dependent to recognize thoughts and feelings causing him/her to inappropriately use the computer to meet personal needs (Orzack, 1999 15). This is achieved through the following stages: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, maintenance, and termination. In the first stage, the dependent does not recognize the problem that he or she has and, therefore, does not want to change anything. Thus, the therapist’s task at this stage is to help the patient understand that the problem exists and help him/her realize the necessity of solving it. In the second stage, the individual recognizes the need for change but still does not have a substantial desire to change something. In the preparation stage, the individual is ready to establish a plan to address the problem. The dependent person realizes that he or she needs to establish control over computer use by setting time limits. The person seeks other activities that can be done when the urge to use the computer exists. The maintenance stage begins when the dependent learn to control one’s computer use. The goal of this phase is to prevent relapse. The final stage, termination, occurs when the individual has no more desire to overuse the computer. During the treatment, the therapist’s task is to support the dependent in every stage encouraging him or her to enter another stage (Wieland 153).

Psychopharmacology. It is aimed at the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other anxiety disorders that computer addiction goes along with.
Addictions Treatment and Self-Help Groups. The treatment is organized by special addiction services like the Center for Online Addiction, the Computer Addiction Services at McLean Hospital in Belmont, etc.

Solutions to computer addition may include keeping oneself busy by involvement in work irrelevant to the work of the computer. Hobbies become of much importance when there is a desire to get rid of computer dependency. Psychotherapy, marital counseling, addiction counseling, parent counseling, social skills training are among the solutions available. Though they are applicable depending on this or that particular case, the use of them in the complex is also rather beneficial for the dependent if appropriately organized and controlled.

Thus, the paper defined computer and Internet addiction showed their side effects, and offered the most effective ways of solving the problem. Computer addiction exists and requires emergency actions from the dependent and people around him/her. Though the solutions proposed are rather helpful, it is a computer user’s responsibility not to become a computer addict.

Works Cited

Cooper, A. 1999, “Sexuality and the Internet: Surfing into the new millennium”, CyberPsychology and Behavior, no. 1, pp. 181-187.

Lamberg, L. 1999, ‘Computers enter mainstream psychiatry’, Journal of the American Medical Association, no. 278, pp. 799-801.

Orzack, M. 1999, “How to recognize and treat computer addictions”, Directions, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 13-20.

Orzack, M. H. 2003, “Computer addiction services”, Web.

Shapira, N. et al. 2000, “Psychiatric features of individuals with problematic Internet use”, Journal of Affective Disorders, no. 57, pp. 267-272.

Shotton, M. A. 1989, Computer Addiction? A Study of Computer Dependency, London, Taylor & Francis.

Wieland, D. M. 2005, “Computer addiction: Implications for nursing psychotherapy practice”, Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, vol. 41, no. 4, p. 153.

Young, K. 1998, Caught in the Net, New York, Wiley.

Young, K. et al. 1999, “Cyber disorders: The mental health concern for the new millennium”, CyberPsychology and Behavior, vol. 2, no. 5, pp. 475-479.

Young, K., & Rogers, R. 1998, “The relationship between depression and Internet addiction”, CyberPsychology and Behavior, vol.1, no. 1, pp. 25-28.

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Computer Addiction: Side Effects and Possible Solutions

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