Volume 4 Issue 12 Dec 2014
A combination of the words “Internet” and “citizen”, which may be used to describe an individual who spends a lot of time on the net. Over many years, society have observed a transformation of citizens to Netizens for obvious reasons like, easy accessibility, easy socialization (even though pseudosocialization), easy rewards, feedback & no face-to-face rejection!
One might argue here that the internet is so useful, how does it become harmful? It has been observed that, internet use like any other addictive substance use modulates reward pathway, resulting in compulsive use and associated withdrawal symptoms! The behaviour passes through stages of normal use, followed by, excessive use/ overuse in creative hours, minimizing offline life through less time and attention to sports, reading, community, and family, where Internet is used to fill (almost) all emotional, social, and/or sexual needs, along with denial of consequences for one’s behaviour, and eventually restlessness & recurring compulsion by an individual to engage in same activity, despite “harmful or undesirable consequences” developing internet addiction!..
Considering vital role of internet in modern life, it is difficult to define the severity of its addiction. So one need to be aware when the use is becoming overuse & heading to abuse!
Assistant Professor, MGMIHS, Navi Mumbai
