The internet has changed a lot in our lives, and much of it has been for the better. Many people are now more capable of finding solutions to problems they’re dealing with, communicating with others, and exploring the world in general. At the same time, some people seem to have a tendency to underestimate the negative implications of the internet. Or, in some cases, even completely ignore them. And let’s not beat around the bush – the internet is something that can definitely be abused, and it happens a lot.
Recognizing Problematic Situations
It’s important to learn how to recognize situations where you have a problem. Note that just because you spend a lot of time online doesn’t automatically mean that this is a problem. Some people are perfectly capable of balancing heavy internet usage with being productive. But for many others, that’s not the case. It’s not too different from things like drugs and alcohol – though some may be able to function fine despite their addictions to them, that doesn’t mean that they are harmless.
As a general rule of thumb, try to identify patterns created in your life that revolve around your internet usage. If you’re constantly skipping obligations because you were doing something for pleasure online, then that’s obviously a sign of something problematic.
Being Honest with Yourself
Which brings us to another important point. The only way to even start dealing with this problem is to be honest with yourself. There’s no way around that, and it might be difficult at first, but you have to learn to admit when things aren’t going very well. Sometimes, you might be blinded by your own perceptions. This goes both ways – some people think that their internet usage is fine when it’s not, while others falsely worry over a nonexistent problem.
A good way to get a realistic overview of the situation is to use some tracking – more on that below.
Specific Types of Addiction
Internet addiction comes in many forms. It’s not just about Facebook and Instagram, and in some cases it can sneak up on you in unsuspecting ways. Some people are addicted to online games. In some cases, they might even spend lots of money on them, especially with mobile games. Others get addicted to porn, which can lead to sexual addiction and other problems.
The point is, you can’t lump all of those issues under the same roof, and you have to pay attention to your own habits and usage style. It’s entirely possible that you might be suffering the consequences of spending too much time on something online and not even realizing it!
Tracking Your Habits and Usage
There are various ways to get a good overview of your real situation. Time tracking software is available for both desktop and mobile devices, and it can give you a detailed overview of exactly how much time you’re spending on each app, website, and other types of activities. Furthermore, that information can be broken down into various categories, allowing you to see how much time you’re spending on general entertainment as opposed to work, for example.
Don’t get too obsessed with this though. Use these tools to get a good enough idea of what your situation looks like, but don’t track everything in extreme detail unless you absolutely need that information. The less you have to worry about, the better.
Talk to Others
You’re not alone – and you should never forget this. Plenty of other people are suffering from the same problems. Failing to recognize this can contribute to a feeling of isolation and helplessness. And somewhat ironically, this is one of the things that the internet can help you with quite a lot. It’s easy to find support groups for people in your position online, and it’s not a bad idea to explore what they have to offer. Sometimes, you might get some surprising insights about your situation from people you’ve never met – and likely never will.
Professional Help Is Not Out of the Question
And if that fails, remember that you can also always get professional help. It’s something that some people consider an extreme solution to a problem like this, but the truth is that if you leave it untreated, it’s only going to get worse over time. The sooner you take matters into your own hands, the better.
Don’t let the internet take over your life and turn it into a mess. In the end, it was supposed to be a tool to help us become smarter and more connected. It doesn’t make sense to allow it to have too much control over you. And preventing that is as easy as ensuring that you have an objective overview of the situation, and studying your available options when you realize that you have a problem.
