Learning To Log Off

When you’re an internet addict…

Different studies and tests have laid down parameters to help identify if one has become addicted. Some of the signs are:

PREOCCUPATION: spending more than 5 hours online daily

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WITHDRAWAL: symptoms like anxiety,irritability after days without Internet

HEIGHTENED: sense of euphoria while online

FAILING: to control,cut back or discontinue Internet use

LOSS: of interest in other hobbies,previous hobbies

REDUCED: loss of a relationship,job,education or career opportunities

PHYSICAL: changes such as weight gain or loss,backaches,headaches

USA

MEDICAL CAMPS

* The US doesn’t formally recognise Internet addiction as an illness. However,it’s listed as a subject “worthy of further study”.

* The US has the highest Internet penetration,over 85 per cent of its population is “logged in”. Studies show that 1 out of every 8 Internet users shows signs of “excessive use”.

* In 2009,the first retreat centre for the “obsessed” came up in Washington. Called ‘reStart’,the “detox centre” provides spiritual recovery,weekend adventures and life-skills coaching.

* The Pennsylvania Hospital’s treatment consists of an “intensive 10-day digital treatment and stablisation programme”. Treatment here can set you back by $14,000.

* California’s ‘Camp Grounded’ is a gadget-free camp during summers.

India

* Although there has been an exponential growth in the number of Internet users in the past decade,it is still too early to know how affected the population is.

* A study published this year in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry concluded that only 0.7 per cent adolescents were addicts,while 74.5 per cent were moderate users.

* However,as more people are buying smartphones,the numbers could rise fast.

China

BOOT CAMPS

* Using a more military-like approach,China was the first country to classify Internet addiction as an official disorder and has even come up with a diagnostic manual. China’s first Internet addiction treatment centre started in 2005 at Beijing’s Military General Hospital.

* Among 591 million users,42 per cent are addicted. Adolescent young men make up the largest demographic,followed by women.

* Pioneered by Dr Tao Ran,a military researcher and colonel in the People’s Liberation Army,the infamous boot camps of China became the frontline of the battle against Internet addiction.

* In February 2013,a 14-year-old boy admitted to poisoning his family after his mother banned computer games.

* Till 2009,electric shock was a preferred method for treating Internet addicts.

SOUTH KOREA

AWARENESS CAMPS

* One of the first countries to identify Internet addiction as a serious issue.

* No. of addicts: 2.55 million. 160,000 are children between 5 and 9 years. 680,000 are between 10 and 19 years,according to the National Information Society Agency.

* Children in the age group of 3-5 will be taught to protect themselves from overusing digital gadgets. The government is also revising laws to make teaching the dangers of Internet addiction mandatory in schools.

* An estimated 2 million people receive government funded psychological treatment. The government provides counselling programmes to an estimated 2 million people.

SHUTDOWN LAW: The law introduced last year blocks under-16 kids from playing online games between midnight and 6 am. However,implementation has not been easy.

JAPAN

FASTING CAMPS

* While South Korea and China played good cop-bad cop,Japan turned a blind eye to Intenet addiction. Until now. Japan has come up with a different approach to treat addicts. 8 out of 10 people access the Internet using their smartphones and other devices.

* Japan has nearly 101 million Internet users—around 80 per cent of its population. 518,000 children—6 per cent junior high and 9 per cent senior high school students—are addicted to the Internet.

* According to a recent survey by the govt,of the 98,000 children surveyed,8 per cent were considered “pathologically” addicted to the Internet.

* Japanese authorities believe in ‘fasting’ camps. At these camps,children have no access to computers,smartphones and gaming devices. A handful of such centres are in operation.

SOURCES: International Telecommunication Union,TRAI,China Internet Network Information Centre,Telecommunication Carriers Association