Who here has an internet addiction?

[Beachedwhale]

It has ruined my life and, I think, my brain.

It began due to loneliness and social anxiety but it has made them worse and created a downward spiral.

 

[avoid_slow_death]

I wouldn't say addiction. For me, I have nobody right now I can talk to without feeling judged or misunderstood, so, this is, sadly, my support system. So, I would call it more of a need rather than an addiction.

 

[BlankUser]

I don't think that I'm addicted, but I'm so lonely and have almost nothing going on in my life, that's why I spend so much time online. But it definitely can be bad for your mental health. Especially social media. That's why I unfollowed lots of narcissists and toxic influencers.

 

[heretogethelp]

the internet is one of the few places u have the freedom to be yourself

 

[newave3]

Yes I'm completely addicted especially to youtube with it's song reaction videos,barstool pizza reviews, Scotty Kilmer, South Main Auto, Doug Demuro and many others. I read political blogs, peruse the IMDB and Wikipedia.
Been on the internet several hours a day for over 20 years. If there was recovery group for Internet addiction, I would join.

 

[Beachedwhale]

Yes I'm completely addicted especially to youtube with it's song reaction videos,barstool pizza reviews, Scotty Kilmer, South Main Auto, Doug Demuro and many others. I read political blogs, peruse the IMDB and Wikipedia.
Been on the internet several hours a day for over 20 years. If there was recovery group for Internet addiction, I would join.

Same here addiction to gaming/internet for 20 years. I've heard that psychedelics can help but ultimately we have to replace it with healthy habits somehow. What does it replace for you? I think usually it replaces real life social relations. For me I think lifting weights could help with social anxiety. But it's just been too many wasted years, my brain is fried and I'm close to death.

 

[lastingabyss]

Fellow internet addict here, i've probably spent countless hours online since i was about 12/13 years old. mainly because i couldn't (and still can't at the age of 22) make in real life friends properly, and connect with them in the same way i can w/ online friends. it has truly fucked my head growing up, as the games i'd play would occupy my thoughts all the time & they were my safe spaces from the outside. I often think from time to time how much better life would've been without the consistent brain frying of the internet and shit, which is why I've come to delete 90% of my social media accounts - but it's definitely too late lmao

 

[newave3]

Same here addiction to gaming/internet for 20 years. I've heard that psychedelics can help but ultimately we have to replace it with healthy habits somehow. What does it replace for you? I think usually it replaces real life social relations. For me I think lifting weights could help with social anxiety. But it's just been too many wasted years, my brain is fried and I'm close to death.

I guess the internet replaces cable tv for entertainment and it replaces books for information. I can make a little money on the survey sites and check stock prices. The amount of stuff one can do on the internet is endless. I have some friends and family I can speak to whenever I want, although I live alone. I don't need it for social interaction except here at SS the greatest social media site that has ever existed.

 

[Beachedwhale]

Fellow internet addict here, i've probably spent countless hours online since i was about 12/13 years old. mainly because i couldn't (and still can't at the age of 22) make in real life friends properly, and connect with them in the same way i can w/ online friends. it has truly fucked my head growing up, as the games i'd play would occupy my thoughts all the time & they were my safe spaces from the outside. I often think from time to time how much better life would've been without the consistent brain frying of the internet and shit, which is why I've come to delete 90% of my social media accounts - but it's definitely too late lmao

I'm the same but I'm late 20s and life is ruined. I think exercising/lifting weights to build confidence to be able to make real life connections can help. I would kill to be 22 again and do that.

 

[WatermelonMel]

The internet is the only reason for me to wanna live

 

[lastingabyss]

I'm the same but I'm late 20s and life is ruined. I think exercising/lifting weights to build confidence to be able to make real life connections can help. I would kill to be 22 again and do that.

That was me probably about 1 and half - 2 years ago, but i don't find any enjoyment when i exercise anymore & have since gained the majority of the weight I lost through going to the gym often. shit sucks :(

 

[loopylou]

I definitely feel it when I get a Facebook ban. Endless scrolling bored when I can't sleep

 

[FuneralCry]

I spend a lot of time on the internet, I have done throughout my whole teenage years. I understand how it can be damaging depending on what you are doing but I think it has probably benefitted me. (I have never liked social media) I just see it as a form of escapism.

 

[WornOutLife]

I do.
I couldn't live without internet (and power, obviously). I work, study, talk to online friends and have fun with it.

No internet means no life at all for me.

 

[Sprite_Geist]

I have started to feel this way. The internet seems to be the only way I can (sort of) connect to others, it is like a kind of life-support that I have became too dependent on. At the same time, though, what is the alternative? It is very, very hard to find communities like this in the real world.