Canadian Medical Association Journal 1996; 154: 1823
Who becomes addicted? Certainly a sizeable group comprises those who are simply escaping from work, ennui, spouses and reality. And there are those who would answer "Yes" to at least three of Young's diagnostic questions. But the largest group of so-called addicts are those who have found that computer technology allows them unprecedented access to information. Moving to the Internet expands the amount of available information almost without limit.
On the Internet the problem is how to find information quickly. Lately, I've been exploring search engines and have been particularly pleased with Alta Vista (http://www.altavista.digital.com). Others tell me that Infoseek (http://www.info seek.com) is also user friendly and effective and that c|net (http://www. cnet.com) will help in choosing the right search engine for the task. My use of search engines has effectively cut down the amount of time I spend surfing -- and getting diverted. Unfortunately, no search engine yet screens out the garbage, and sections of the Internet are little more than cyberspace landfill sites.
Do you have IAD? OReilly identifies three web sites for Internet addicts, one with the predictable name of Netaholics Anonymous. But I can't help wonder at the wisdom of suggesting that people with IAD use the Internet to help them with their addiction. Strange therapy!