A few different people in my life spend almost all of thier time (or more) on the internet talking to people on line and having on line relationships... they seem to me to be afraid to go out into the world and explore life... what do you think?
2007-11-21 10:15:13 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
A sign for fear of the world and real life? Yes and no.
Online addiction should be taken as seriously as any other sort of addiction, be it fast food or illegal drugs. Talking to people online is fine, I have a bit of a problem with what you described as "online relationships". Some people find it easier (whether it is sensible is a different thing) to write to people about their feelings and troubles than to face somebody and tell them, as far as that is concerned, everything is fine.
If time spent online is high for a while, there is still nothing wrong. However, if that continues over a certain while, I would start thinking what could be behind it.
"Fear of the real world" could really be an issue. It is easier to "deal with" people on the internet, because you can just not reply to the last email or leave the chat room if you´re mad at somebody. It is harder to do that in your real life. Could it be your friends have been disappointed by "real life" or been let down by friends? This is one reason for (especially) teenagers getting "hooked" online - there is less fear of rejection and less problems you actually have to deal with. Spending almost all of your time online is a warning sign, so try and get them outside. Make sure they get invited to the next party, or: if it is possible, arrange a trip outside (bit hard with this weather, unfortunately) that takes them away from their computers. You are not a parent, otherwise I would give the same advice to you when dealing with your online-addicted kid - only I would add to just unplug the damn thing. ;)
2007-11-21 10:32:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could possibly be fear... more specifically the fear of society and perhaps rejection. Although a real life relationship can take work, money, time etc. An online relationship is much easier, of course if fear is an option, then so should be laziness, perhaps they don't fear as much as they just 'dont want' to go out into the world and live life. Or perhaps society just doesn't accept them because they're not necessarily "mainstream" and they've figured this out so they live in the internet. Those are my opinions on the matter, and I do think it's rather sad seeing as how humanity is so mentally and physically unhealthy these days.
2007-11-21 10:19:23 · answer #2 · answered by Aaron H 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, largely because of how computer have come into our lives. if it where a mad science project they where working on then yes I would say that it had.
But computers are a real convenience the way we use them now, we can do a lot of things with out thinking about the technology behind it, so everything happens and is easy, and is a positive step.
how ever people can spend too long at their computer, how ever i feel that it depends on what they are doing. if it is purely gaming for several hours a night, every night i'd say that is excessive if however like me they are a programmer, and have to spend 8 hours a day in front of a computer then what's wrong with that?
i guess its just perspective
2007-11-21 10:20:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how dependant they are, do they freak out if they can't get on the computer for a day? Do they constantly obsess over what's going happening on the computer? If so then you should make an attempt to bring them out into the real world and invite them to do different stuff, it'll be especially now that the holidays are coming up (IE: shopping, baking, etc...)
If that doesn't work, you may want to alert others so some action can be taken because serious things can come from being addicted to the computer.
2007-11-21 10:21:51 · answer #4 · answered by OCHiix3 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a terrific question. I tend to agree with you. I'm disabled (depression and epilepsy) so it's not easy for me to go out all the time. Honestly, I don't know what I would do WITHOUT being online. But yes, I think if someone spends 24/7 online, they have either chosen to isolate themselves (like me) or they are afraid of the world (I'm not) I think people who do this think the *friends* they make online are safer than the real human beings out there that could be wonderful.
2007-11-21 10:20:04 · answer #5 · answered by PURR GIRL TORI 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you're right.
In this high-speed digital age, more and more studies are showing that children aren't developing social skills due to the computers and video games. They're also becoming obese because they stay inside all of the time - this is also linked to depression, because people are not spending enough time outdoors... People need light therapy to regulate moods.
While computers are a great source of information, the fact that people hide behind their computers to blog about nothing, rant, have relationships, bash others, etc., isn't surprising. Computers are a great way to just say what you want to say, when under normal circumstances, you otherwise coudln't.
2007-11-21 10:22:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think its wrong to be stuck in the computer for too long because it could affect your health and its much better to be outside in the nature because its REAL.
online relationships are plain weird that i dont know why some people do it...
to be afriad of the real life is sad because mostly everybody would experience it one time and spending too much in the internet its not a fear of the world but also its not right to spend too much in it..
2007-11-21 10:21:39 · answer #7 · answered by island of the pearls 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. At least in most cases it's not. I know people who spend hours online playing games at work or being online in MSN on their comp./phone 24/7 but they still go out like regular people from time to time.
Oh, BTW..about online relationships. Surveys taken by TIME magazine during the summer actually showed that online couples (those who actually meet from time to time) are less likely to separate because they tend to hold on to good memories and have a lower chance of encountering marital problems. As for those people who try to start relationships in MMORPGs, I'd rather not say anything =)
2007-11-21 10:19:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I come here everyday. At the moment, for me anyway, the cricket season has finished. It' now Autumn here in NZ. 48-50 degrees eh? Well, it's bloody cold where I am at the moment. Mt Ruapehu has snow on it. I guess the skiers will be happy soon, once they open the ski fields in June
2016-04-05 02:27:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am certain of it and i am afraid to do anything else but make it day to day. it is a bad handicap but i, at least, am not in denial.
people are in treatment for the problem. a boy in japan was featured on the pbs news who was sent to a special bootcamp program the japanese have for hardcore kids.
yes i am and it is reality. but i am frozen at the keyboard. do anything else only because i must. would just eat, and sleep and mess around on the web totally keeps my mind off the terrible real world. my dad just drinks. mom is in la la land most of the time.
sis is a volleyball nut and thinks she is a lesbian. life sucks.
2007-11-21 11:04:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋