Internet Addiction Camp Opens
I remember when computer camp was a good thing
Welcome to South Korea, home of Kimchi, Bul Go Gi, and 250,000 Internet addicts as reported by The New York Times. Since Korea has nearly border to border Internet access apparently kids need to learn what it is to experience life without the Internet. In my day, they called that "recess" and... oh yeah, "life."
According to the Korean government, 30% of their population under 18 are at risk for Internet Addiction. That's a whopping 2.4 million kids. Here in the US the AMA has refused to accept that "video game addiction" is a problem on the same level as other addictions such as alcoholism but admits that it is a health concern. Perhaps that's because the US doesn't have nearly as many kids spending 17 hours a DAY online! Of course, after some time in the program they admitted that perhaps 17 hours a day was a bit much. Perhaps 5 would be more reasonable.
The intent of the program is to allow the participants to experience a
life without the constant temptation of the Internet. They are kept
busy with chores (cleaning and such) and are under constant
supervision. They are limited to one hour of cell phone use a day to
discourage the participants from playing games online.
The Jump Up Internet Rescue School is the first camp in a network of 140 counseling centers and almost 100 treatment centers at different hospitals that will rehabilitate and "cure" these troubled people. But in a nation where people have been known to die at their computer desks after days of online game playing, where there are Internet cafés on nearly every street corner, and where playing video games is considered a sport (with superstars, sponsorships, and more), is it going to be enough? The camp lasts for 12 days and has held two such sessions to date. It is far too early to tell if it will have any affect. So far interest has been high with many more applicants that spots available. Only time will tell if this intervention will be effective.
Joe Schmoe, post: 333968
Having grown up long before the internet existed, I could certainly do without it. I enjoy having it, though. I particularly like being able to buy things that I cannot find locally.
To tell you the truth, many days I would prefer to do without it, but it's not possible. For one, my job requires extensive use of the internet, so my company would be among the first-line casualties. But what you mention highlights my point - yes, we can do without it, because it is still a matter of convenience for us. For those born into it, it has become too much of a necessity in order to function in life. For companies, such as mine, we have built our operation on the backbone of the internet (no, we're not an internet merchant or anything like that), so our success depends greatly on the fact that the internet exists and functions. We're all a bunch of old-farts, to semi-old farts here, so while the company would suffer, those of us within would fare better. That is part of the irony.
Halon451, post: 332928
Absolutely - I've entered into a number of conversations about such a possibility as the internet suddenly going away. These have been, mind you, “in-person” conversations! It's not a stretch of the imagination to say that, at the very least millions of people on this planet would be completely unable to function. I believe that it would drive hundreds if not thousands into severe depression, if not into suicidal tendencies. For the remainder of us (those of my aforementioned demographic, who are old enough to remember life without), might be severely annoyed and somewhat crippled at first, but we would recover and relearn how to do things the old-fashioned way.
I don't think that many people realize just how profound the internet's influence has been on mankind in just the last decade and a half. And that influence continues to grow, exponentially.
Having grown up long before the internet existed, I could certainly do without it. I enjoy having it, though. I particularly like being able to buy things that I cannot find locally.
highfihoney, post: 332458
I would urge caution to those who use the internet at work for personal reasons,my company keeps tabs on who's doing what on the WWW,if a person's work is not suffering we will not make an issue of it but come time for an employee evaluation the question always comes up.
How much better of an employee could so & so be if he was totaly focused on his job, not spending 3 hours a day surfing,every time its been mentioned a raise or promotion has been denied.
Another reason why i use my own laptop & provider service for work
I used to worry about that, but I have gotten a raise in each of the 3 years I have worked here so far. My job is sufficiently boring that I would probably quit without a way to get away from it several times a day.
I don't think that many people realize just how profound the internet's influence has been on mankind in just the last decade and a half. And that influence continues to grow, exponentially.
Halon451, post: 332417
I usually have to take a deep breath when topics of this nature come up either in real life (or in this case) on the web. As a technology addict in general, I have found one thing to be true - that technology has the dual effect of enriching people's lives while at the same time “dumbing” them down either intellectually or socially. You see the contrast in today's youth, versus those of us who are old enough to remember what life was like without the internet and cell phones. How did we ever survive??
I also agree that the internet has enriched my own life and has been a source for learning, education, entertainment - no small emphasis on the first two - but that it has to be utilized wisely. Going go TMZ.com every day to check on the latest celebrity gossip in my opinion is only driving one's IQ down in the process and is doing absolutely nothing for their social life.
I believe that balance is the key - in anything. As a human population we have come to rely on things that not but for a few short years ago were still considered “novel”, are now commonplace and have revolutionized the way we go about our lives. Things happen now at the speed of light (bank transactions, paying bills, finding directions, making purchases on things, finding relatives, friends, etc. So the internet's usefulness cannot be discounted. I don't think anyone would disagree with me on that. However, there does come a point where we have to realize that we are still human after all, and not everything that makes us human exists on the World Wide Web.
I'm a tech geek as much as they come, and if I can say that… also, this is ironic that we're discussing the pitfalls and benefits of the internet, while we are on the internet.
Very well said and a great analysis!!
Imagine what your (anyone's) life would be if the internet were suddenly taken away. Yep, we're addicted. It's a great tool, especially for those of us who live in rural areas. Being addicted to a tool, and simultaneously enjoying it, are not so bad.
As Associate Editor at Audioholics, Tom promises to the best of his ability to give each review the same amount of attention, consideration, and thoughtfulness as possible and keep his writings free from undue bias and preconceptions. Any indication, either internally or from another, that bias has entered into his review will be immediately investigated. Substantiation of mistakes or bias will be immediately corrected regardless of personal stake, feelings, or ego.
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