I know I spend too much time online (like right now), and sometimes I know I ought to be doing other things, but it’s generally not a big deal. I put off doing the housework for half an hour, but still do it. I leave 5 minutes later than planned to meet friends. I check my email far too often. I browse the web at work too much.

I think the worst effect on my life is not trying new things. I keep meaning to get some new hobbies, but browsing the web and thinking about it is too easy.

Actually, that seems to be one of the biggest assumptions of the test: That you are sitting on a computer for the sake of being online. Which, in my experience, is a little outdated.

Even when I program something (or work on my photos, or make a presentation, etc) I’m “online”. This is 2009 after all – the net’s always there, thanks to wifi. And since I sync and backup files online, I’m not going to “log off” for the sake of fulfilling some geezer’s ideas on what “being online” means. Note that I’m above 40).

And do I “check” e-mail? Both yes and no. On the one hand, I get mail pushed on my iPhone which beeps (or not). I know that something has arrived that probably warrants attentions – because all other mail gets silently sorted into folders which I check once a day or a week.

“How often do you try to cut down the amount of time you spend on-line and fail?“, for example. The answers are:
Rarely, Occasionally, Frequently, Often, Always, Does Not Apply.

“Does not apply” because you never try? “Does not apply because you never fail if and when you do try”?

“How often do you try to hide how long you’ve been on-line?”
“Does not apply” because you never talk to anyone, or “Does not apply” because you hide it from all your social contacts? “Always” because you never mention it, or “Never” because it never comes up?

I sincerely doubt the test takes that into account, s frankly it’s somewhere between a bit of internet fun and complete poppycock.

Thing is: I only see net.dependency as a problem if it makes me sad. As it’s given me a job and a wife and happiness and a calling and opportunities to express myself and to help people, then, well, dependency can be a good thing!

addiction to internet is psycological

Anyways, I got a 43. I’m on too much, but not addicted I guess. I do get yelled at for being on too much a lot though, lulz.

and others get urinary tract infections or wet themselves because they don’t want to take bathroom breaks.

Come on people, this has not been a problem since laptops were invented. See also http://xkcd.com/646/

I guess if you can’t stay away from the internet just for the sake of being online, you qualify as an addict. But given that the internet basically runs our lives, we are all addicted. Whenever the internet is down, we go through withdrawl because we need it. God forbid our ability to check our email or facebook is restricted. It is a perceived need, as we will still be able to continue breathing without it, but a very important one.

It’s just I’d rather level up.

Not addicted, just unemployed.

“How often do you block out disturbing thoughts about your life with soothing thoughts of the Internet?”

The internet: now more soothing.

But there are always those who take things to the extreme. We Americans are so sensitive to the naked human body, when we get old enough to seek our fantasies online it’s no wonder we become addicted.