7 replies to this topic

[Orz]

Internet addiction has for the first time been linked with changes in the brain similar to those seen in people addicted to alcohol, cocaine and cannabis. In a groundbreaking study, researchers used MRI scanners to reveal abnormalities in the brains of adolescents who spent many hours on the internet, to the detriment of their social and personal lives. The finding could throw light on other behavioural problems and lead to the development of new approaches to treatment, researchers said.

Read more: http://www.independe...in-6288344.html

This is exactly why I am a huge proponent of taking breaks and balancing life with things away from the computer! Now to do more web surfing!

[Zyll]

Oh boy, very interesting read, sure am glad I've been hitting the gym for the last 3 months. really clears your head...

Gonna be suffering some lovely brain anomalies once GW's 2 launches though haha.

[Yue]

"Researchers in China scanned the brains of 17 adolescents diagnosed with "internet addiction disorder" who had been referred to the Shanghai Mental Health Centre, and compared the results with scans from 16 of their peers."


Yeh... Come back to me when you did a real research with a bigger group and control group. And make sure they don't have any other addiction before you start this...

(null)

[Amoner]

Probably another most important quote from the article "

Professor Michael Farrell, director of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia, said: "The limitations [of this study] are that it is not controlled, and it's possible that illicit drugs, alcohol or other caffeine-based stimulants might account for the changes. The specificity of 'internet addiction disorder' is also questionable."

"

I am a huge anti-proponent of internet addiction or social negativity reaction that surrounds it... Before I started spending 10+ hours on the computer, it used to be 10+ hours reading books... Was it more productive/beneficial? perhaps... but I much rather play with my friends when I can, and enjoy my books when there are no other ways of entertainment...
Here are some ted.com videos and articles on importance of play:
http://www.ted.com/t...it_s_vital.html (Recommended)
http://www.ted.com/t...ds_smarter.html (Recommended)
http://www.ted.com/t...mchallenge.html
http://www.ted.com/t...videogames.html

[KillyKyll]

Have to agree with Yue and Amoner. This really doesn't prove anything on it's own. Even if did/does, it's what Amoner said: it's a replacement for something that could already be utilized to an addictive level, like books, movies, and more recently video games.

By the way, I'll check out those TED talks, Amoner.

[Deft]

Here we go, another one of these articles...

Like Yue said, the control group was too small. Also, in the case of the man with the blood clot, that could have been hereditary, or diet. Rule #1 of statistical studies: correlation does not confirm causality.

[Naido]

Needs moar data.

That being said, it will be difficult to get sizable data samples when the only way to indicate Internet "abuse" is to actually observe the behavior.

Even then, that doesn't exclude other factors, as was already mentioned.

[Jacobin]

14 people in China were tested, I wouldn't be too worried.

The truth is that those of us in the west are lucky enough to have huge amounts of free time since everything outside of a serious medical problem is taken care of.

We could be spending it trying to emulate the antics on Jersey Shore or watching reality TV.