Top Ten Consequences of Internet Addiction
The internet is known for its easy accessibility to limitless information from new to old. It is a way to connect with other people globally and share media over social platforms. However, it is known that the internet can also cause negative effects in people, specifically bad habits. Since social media is a major part of our lives, the problems caused thanks to the internet has been recognizable. Take this list as a reminder to limit yourself from the consequences caused by internet addiction.
If you find yourself scrolling through the internet in bed and then complaining that you cannot sleep, try keeping your smartphone out of the bedroom. You are less likely to grab your phone and scroll through your feed first thing in the morning.
It has been proven that the blue light from electronic screens disrupts melatonin production at night, causing sleep problems.
Sometimes, when I am addicted to the internet, I struggle to get to sleep and end up going online at night. This is a habit I need to control since I usually get tired during the process.
Sure, social interactions in public chat groups can be a good substitute, but relying solely on this isn't enough to sustain a healthy social life. Having conversations in real life is always better, even if it's just a chit-chat between friends and family.
Sadly, it's hard for people to balance real social interaction and online interaction, especially during the pandemic.
Obviously. If you hide in your room all day...
This happens when you prioritize the internet, especially social media, over everything else. It is a subtle bad habit, as people can become hooked on online games, social media, and especially porn without realizing it.
A loss of responsibility can cause relationship and financial issues. If you constantly dismiss important tasks by saying, "I have no time to do this or that" and mindlessly scroll through the internet, then it's a clear sign to cut back on browsing.
Including stress in the list is not surprising, considering most bad habits are significant causes of it. If you get stressed due to constantly needing to be informed, whether it's the news or social media in general, it may be best to take a break.
Regarding news, it might seem beneficial to stay informed, but our brains don't need to be overstimulated by constantly updating ourselves with current events. Take time to enjoy yourself and not focus on things you cannot control.
This is an obvious consequence to watch out for. You are more prone to a sedentary lifestyle, which not only causes stress but also increases the risk of weight gain.
Although many factors affect weight, if you find yourself gaining a few pounds after weeks of lack of exercise, it's a sign that you should consider being more active.
Yeah, you can't do it too much. I hurt my arm last week, so I'm taking a week off. After that, I'm going to try to get back to working out more.
Since the internet is a vast place for easily accessing almost unlimited information, some people get overwhelmed by processing information to the point that their brain becomes overstimulated. Constant notifications and unnecessary news can feed the mind with worry and overstimulation.
Yes. I feel like my brain is exploding.
I guarantee that this is one of the most subtle problems you can find on this list. It has been known that the internet changes the way we use our brains.
Do you ever get the feeling of knowing someone's name and forgetting it a moment later? That can be due to how we use the internet. We find ourselves skimming through information without actually understanding what's presented. Fortunately, this problem can be reversed by limiting internet use and replacing bad habits with more meaningful ones, such as meditation.
Considering many people fall into this addiction, it's no surprise that being hooked on the internet can lead to bad browsing habits. Porn is the most common addiction developed over months or years of excessive internet use, making you more dependent on the media you consume.
If you are into money, gambling could also be a potential risk, leading to financial instability.
This particularly occurs if you have been on the internet for a long time. You might find that things you previously enjoyed are no longer enjoyable, leading you to scroll longer to entertain yourself, sometimes for hours on end.
This problem can also apply to other known bad habits, such as smoking. Over time, as this addiction remains unaddressed, you crave more to fully satisfy yourself - the same applies to internet addiction.
This includes compulsive gaming and unnecessary scrolling through social media to entertain oneself to the point it affects their quality of life. This mostly applies to extreme cases of internet addiction.
For those trying to self-improve, it is unfortunate if you are willing to cut your time off from the internet due to the dependency you developed over years of use. One day you might have a weekly streak of spending less time on the internet, but your mind urges you to return to your previous routine.
