This is your brain on the Internet

The Internet is a vast world, waiting to be explored. Sometimes though the Internet can be a vortex, sucking up your time that you could use to finish your math IA, and it can also distance you from your friends and family.

We all know that one person. 

Despite the distractions of the internet though, we still make sure that we have sometime 

to spend with loved ones, so there is still hope for humanity.

True love (?)

OK, maybe not. 

The Internet has become such a big part of our lives that there are now various health problems associated with Internet use. People can actually get inflamed thumbs from over texting. (If this is you, please follow this link http://www.healthhype.com/how-to-prevent-texting-thumb-repetitive-strain-injury-rsi.html and then take a good solid 10 minutes to contemplate with what you are choosing to do with your life) 

Imagine going to a session for recovering addicts. Ten minutes into the session, you begin to feel withdraw symptoms. You try to keep calm but then panic and fear begin to overtake your body, worry consuming your soul, and you start tapping your foot anxiously. Are my virtual potatoes ready for harvest yet? Has that cute guy liked my profile pic yet? 

If you scoff at the idea of this, reconsider the situation. There is now a new disorder called Problematic Internet Use, shortened to PIU. And you might have it. 

Do you find yourself glued to the world wide web every single moment of the day?

Do you feel guilty and try and hide your internet use from your loved ones?

Are you only able to feel content when connected? 

Do you waste countless hours scrolling through pointless memes and looking at cat pictures?

If this is you then you may PIU. However, do not worry, as help is here.

Now you can be part of the solution!

When I first heard about this disorder, I laughed internally and thought that I definitely wasn't one of those people. My phone can last three days on one charge, so this can't possibly be me right? 

Oh how wrong I was. When I thought about it, I really am addicted to the internet. Whenever I come home, I immediately hop on to my computer and begin to occupy myself with Facebook, comics, memes, Youtube, and games. I easily lose track of time and get distracted, putting off important tasks, which results in me having to write my English blog at 12:42 A.M. 

I tried to convince myself that I am not addicted to the Internet until I realized that it exactly something an addict would do. 

Denial is always the first stage. 

If you think that you aren't addicted to the Internet, take the time to think through it carefully. Acceptance is the next step in helping yourself.