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Living in the 21st century means that internet is an integral part of our lives. Certainly, it has changed the way we live, learn, communicate, play, and work. In today’s fast-paced world, where having an online presence is compulsory, the excess use of internet can interfere with our daily healthy routine.

If you usually find yourself glued to your internet-connected phone or laptop, or you have this irresistible urge to keep checking your social media accounts for news, or you can’t bring yourself to stop playing online games and mindlessly surf the web all the time, then there is a good chance that you are suffering from internet addiction.

Needless to say, internet addiction disorder is an increasingly prevalent issue that negatively impacts your mental health, psychological functioning, and overall well-being. According to a report, America has an estimated 313 million active internet users nationwide. With so many readily available, high-speed, and affordable internet options like Windstream Kinetic, it is no wonder why the U.S. is ranked as the third-largest worldwide online market. With over 90% of Americans having uninterrupted access to the internet, it is crucial to learn how to balance the time online and offline.

What Is Internet Addiction?

When it comes to internet addiction, there is no specific definition for it as it varies from person to person. However, what you need to keep in mind is that internet addiction happens when you excessively rely on the internet for everything, and you keep on using it even when you don’t need it.

Maybe you find yourself compulsively shopping online, or scrolling through Instagram or Pinterest for hours, and you barely realize that the day has ended. In some cases, people are so tempted to check their notifications that they do it even when they are in a meeting, working on an important project, or even when trying to sleep.

What most people fail to realize is that just because you surf the web, stream unlimited videos, shop online frequently, check social media every once in a while, does not necessarily mean that you suffer from the Internet Addiction Disorder. The real trouble arises when you start having difficulty fulfilling your personal and professional obligations due to excessive indulgence in online activities.

If the way you spend your time on the internet interferes with your life, it can be very troublesome for you in the long run. While the internet can be useful for you in many ways, being addicted to your laptop or smartphone can have many negative consequences. Some people get addicted to internet because either they are alone or struggle to make good friends in the real world. Connecting with strangers online is much easier for them than making efforts to befriend people in person.

If you are looking for ways to lessen your use of social media apps or other internet devices, then you have landed at the right place.

Types of Internet Addiction

In this post, we will dive deep into how to make the internet work for you while simultaneously how you can overcome its addiction. But before that, you need to know about the most common types of internet addiction. So, let’s dig right in!

Compulsive Information Seeking

With a wide range of data and knowledge available across the web, you may develop this uncontrollable urge to garner new information. While the internet is a great way to increase your knowledge, excessive knowledge — particularly of the grim kind — can sometimes end up making you feel anxious and stressed out.

Cyber Relationship Addiction

When someone is deeply involved in finding and maintaining relationships online, you start forgoing sleep and neglecting your other responsibilities. Those who focus more on online social life, have a hard time conducting in-person interactions.

If you feel that you have a plethora of unfinished tasks, irregular sleep patterns, limited social skills, and neglected responsibilities, chances are, you are suffering from internet addiction disorder. But there is no need to fret as it is not something that cannot be dealt with. In case, you feel like the addiction is getting out of control, then maybe it is high time to get past it. You can even reach out to a therapist for professional assistance in getting rid of this addiction.

Gaming Addiction

There is no denying the fact that gaming is a harmless way of passing time. However, spending an inordinate amount of time playing online games will eventually increase the risk of developing an addiction. Not only that, but you will also see a notable decrease in your productivity and a negative impact on other aspects of your life. If you are so addicted to games that you have started to skip meals, neglect relationships with family and friends, and have developed a dysfunctional sleeping pattern, then it’s time to get rid of these issues by tackling your addiction.

Signs That You Are Suffering From Internet Addiction

If you have a hard time figuring out the level of your addiction, then here is a list of some symptoms which may include:

    Tips to Overcome Internet Addiction

    Now that you know the types and signs of internet addiction, let us take a look at some tips that will help you overcome it:

    Keep a Journal to Keep Track of Your Online Behaviors

    When you find yourself immoderately involved in an online activity, take the time to jot down how you feel in those moments. When you are not online but feel tempted to use the internet, make sure you catalog your thoughts in your journal.

    This way, it will be easier for you to keep track of your emotions.

    Delete or Block Apps That Interfere With Your Productivity

    You may have signed up for apps that you do not even use, but you constantly get emails from them reminding you to use their service. Well, you don’t need that kind of temptation in your life. So it is better to delete all the apps that aren’t useful.  

    In addition to that, you should also keep track of the activities you do online. If you spend too much time on social media apps, then you should take the time to ask yourself if spending your valuable time on these apps is worth it. If you think these apps are lessening your productivity, then you may block these apps for some time.

    There are a variety of website/app blocking apps out there that can help you block the ones that are distracting you. This way, you can easily focus on important tasks. You must be connected to a reliable internet like Windstream Communications to make the most of these website blocking apps. Plus, its internet plans come with smart parental control features that enable you and your family to maintain healthy online habits.

    Make sure that you contact customer service to learn about the Windstream internet prices. The agent will inform you about the Windstream plans that are available in your area, and help you choose the one that is perfect for your needs and budget. Once you have this secure connection in place, you will be able to block useless apps in no time.

    Consider Seeking Therapy

    The moment you realize that your excessive internet usage has started interfering with the quality of your life, you should reach out to a qualified therapist to seek professional help.

    A trained professional may assist you with getting rid of your dependence on the internet for good. In some cases, particularly severe ones, they prescribe medicines like anti-depressants so that you do not experience anxiety when you aren’t online.

    Keep Your Phone Out of Your Sight for a Certain Period of Time Every Day

    If you are strong enough to do a digital detox, it can bring a positive impact on your overall life. Once you realize that your internet addiction is taking control over your life, you start limiting your usage of your smartphone.

    Set a schedule when you will tuck your phone away and focus on improving the quality of your life. When you don’t use the internet at a certain time every day, it will not only limit your online session but will also help you feel more in control and refreshed.

    Wrapping It Up

    As the world becomes digital and more connected than ever, many people turn towards the internet to learn, communicate, play, and keep themselves well-informed. But there are some people who rely on the internet too much that they end up getting addicted to it.

    If you are someone who is suffering from internet addiction, then you should learn how to use the internet more responsibly. Otherwise, you will not only neglect your responsibilities but you will also struggle to maintain your relationships and things that matter. Using the aforementioned tips will help you manage your online behavior. Not only that, you will be more mindful of what you do online and your internet usage will eventually be reduced.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is internet addiction harmful?

    Yes, excessive use of anything can be harmful to you. Those suffering from internet addiction do not only lack social skills but they develop anxiety and even neglect their relationships.

    Are there any apps online that can help me limit my internet usage?

    Yes, there are an array of apps that help you block distracting apps temporarily. By using these apps, you will be able to get your internet usage under control.