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What Happens When You Unplug from Your Internet Addiction?

73 pointsby ckunteover 15 years ago

7 comments

hyperbovineover 15 years ago
I have done this before, cold turkey for weeks at a time. (Out of necessity, not willpower: I was sequestered in the South American jungle.) I thought it was a really healthy and beneficial experience. I rediscovered what it meant to read books, actively entertain myself, and have lengthy conversations with people. It's not possible to carry on this way in my everyday life, but those habits have persisted even as I plugged back in. I mainly use the internet for research and writing e-mail now. Five-hour YouTube binges are (mostly) a thing of the past.<p>To anyone who has misgivings about the toll that being online 10+ hours a day takes on them, I encourage you to step back, take a look in the mirror, and really ponder your online habits. Compulsive internet usage has all the hallmarks of clinical addiction, but strangely almost nobody acknowledges it as such. Like any addiction, beating it will improve your life.
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kyroover 15 years ago
Coincidentally, on the way over to Starbucks just now, I heard a segment on NPR about internet-addicted korean kids who are losing their childhood to the online realm, so much so that they now have two-week internet addiction rehab programs for these kids and are starting to teach elementary school students about proper internet use and netiquette. I couldn't help but to relate to some of the kids as I myself spend lots of time on the internet, but unlike most of them who seem to be passing the hours playing online games, I tend to do lots of reading and more educational type activities, or at least that's how I justify it. I think this stigma against prolonged internet usage will slowly fade as more and more people are depending on the internet for their work, leisure activities (reading, art, etc), and communication. I mean, too much of anything is bad, as they say, and taking time to go out, breathe some air and kick a ball around is necessary for physical and psychological health, but the internet has become, to me, more convenient and efficient advancements of my canvas, library, classroom, newspaper, and telegraph, and so my time spent surfing, which has proven to be quite inefficient :P, has increased. I'll definitely get out a lot more and hit up my local cybercafe, though.
ebunover 15 years ago
I currently live in rural Japan and when I first moved here, I went 2-3 weeks w/o a cell phone or internet. To be honest, it was torture. But it was self-imposed.<p>When I finally (and eagerly) got back online, I saw that the world hadn't ended. It was an important lesson: life goes on, even if you're not connected.<p>Since then, I've drastically reduced my time spent online and as a result, have accomplished a lot more things offline. I highly recommend it to anyone who feels they need to be always connected.
z8000over 15 years ago
"After some soul searching, I decided to take a two-week leap into digital darkness – limiting my internet, TV, and cell phone access to working hours."<p>One does not require soul-searching in order to watch TV during work hours. ;)
NZ_Mattover 15 years ago
I went camping for two weeks earlier this month and didn't miss the internet at all. The funny thing about internet addiction is that people feel like they will miss out if they don't check their emails, facebook and favorite website 10 times a day. The truth is most of these things can be left for days. I don't own a smart for this reason. I feel that it will just be another unnecessary distraction.<p>A funny thing about 'Social media' is that it has tended to make me less social. Instead of calling people I'll send a dm or email. Instead of personally inviting everyone to a party it is easier to invite them via facebook. Sure the internet and social media has made communication easier but it has also made it less personal.
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lionheartedover 15 years ago
I've never seen this site before - the99percent. I clicked around a little and it looks pretty good. I reckon there's some irony in this, as I'm bookmarking it for later internet addiction time later.
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ganleyover 15 years ago
I try (with high, though not 100%, success) not to touch computers outside of work.