Computer addiction

Computer addiction is a field of psychotherapy that studies impacts of extensive or obsessive computer use on the user/addict. It is relatively recent academically since widespread use of computers by the general public for non-professional purposes only began in the 1990s. However, there are examples of obsessive recreational users dating back to the first time-shared computer games, and many NetNews users were considered obsessive in the 1980s. As Internet use, game consoles from Nintendo and Sega, and PC games[?] spread through the turn of the century, and traditional offline activities such as politics and dating began to exploit online capability, computer addiction became a more serious study, and a more serious social concern.

The study of cybersex, emotional infidelity[?], the impact of computer use or violent video games on the brain's capacity for empathy[?] and sympathy[?], dangerous practices associated with dating systems, obsession with MOGs[?] especially EverQuest, are all part of this field.

Wikipedia itself suggests that it is addictive, and many users admit they are 'hooked', especially those who become frequent contributors on topics they previously knew little about.

See also:

• obsessive-compulsive disorder
• addiction
• video games
• research by Sherry Turkle and David Gelernter[?]