[Perna]

I'm not sure to what extent there is a problem:

http://health.yahoo.com/news/reuters...icts_life.html

and to what extent our modern life "requires" lots of virtual interaction?

I don't feel I'm at all addicted to electronic gadgets; only use my cell phone when I go on vacation, it doesn't do anything but make calls (it can text but I can't :-) I don't have a blackberry or other tool like that, just my computers; I am on the computer more than half of my day but. . .

I read books a couple hours a day, I study (on the computer) and am on multiple boards where I interact daily but don't "have" to. I was addicted to Facebook/Mafia Wars last summer for a couple months but that wore out and I successfully "left" Facebook for healthier sites/activities. I know my neighbors and interact with my literal environment :-) and recognize/talk to clerks at my neighborhood stores. I go to the library two or three times a month and out to eat at least once a week with friends.

I wouldn't want to do without my computer but that's because the world pretty much wouldn't want to? When one goes to the library, all their computers are full of users. I have met over a dozen friends in the last 15-20 years that I originally met online (I've been online since 1991), probably more of my "friends" were originally met online than those I've met locally/over the course of my regular life?

[ruffy]

Perna, I noticed a child at a resturant the other day having lunch with her dad. She spent the entire meal on her cell phone and her father ate in silence. It really makes me wonder too, what profound effect virtual communication is going to cause.

[Shangrala]

There was a time (a few years ago), when I lived to be on the Internet as a means of escaping my unbearable hell of a reality. I was pretty bad then.
But I also know that if there were no such thing as Internet then, I would have found another means of escape, so I can't be so certain that the Internet was the problem.

Since, I'm on my system daily, yes, but my need is for another reason. I am not escaping anymore, but maintaining/nurturing (the best to our ability) a relationship that will some day become our reality.
I will say though, that the Internet has become a necessity now because of my relationship with Kristian.

I can't say that I'm "addicted" to the Internet. We both rely on it daily, though. And if either of us have computer issues (I so need a new system..lol), or connection problems, we have no choice but to endure the consequences of that. However, we do also communicate by phone, if necessary, but not often, as of course, that is another expense (though not that much for me).

I have met some wonderful people online that, without net, would be impossible to do. Most of my online friends are in other countries, which I find fascinating and makes me thankful for the Internet.

I can see how the computer and Internet combined can become problems for some, though. I do agree that for some, "addiction" is an appropriate analysis, depending upon the individual and their circumstances.

Shangrala

[Shangrala]

Originally Posted by ruffy

Perna, I noticed a child at a resturant the other day having lunch with her dad. She spent the entire meal on her cell phone and her father ate in silence. It really makes me wonder too, what profound effect virtual communication is going to cause.

I agree to that.
It was just yesterday as my daughter and I were exiting Target, that I say to her, (as she has her face planted into her phone, texting away), how nice it would be if she were to actually socialize the "old school" way for a change. Actually BE with her friends..share experiences.
She replies with..."Not really. Most of my friends live too far away. I share more now with them through texting than I would without my phone or Internet".

I bought her her own phone for her last birthday, (thinking that she's old enough now to have that). Her face has been in that thing alot of her waking hours, (wears a neck strap so to keep handy for her constant texting with her friends).

Sometimes I have questioned whether or not this is a good thing, but considering how my daughter is regarding her social issues, I've concluded that since she's been on Internet and have established the friendships that she has already, she's made progress out of her shell. So, it isn't all that bad, really....(could be worse).

Shangrala

[Beautifully_Broken]

I'm on the internet every waking hour.

I'm house/bed/sofa bound though, so yeah.