by Lauren Chadwick

People addicted to the net also tend to withdraw from other activities that they previously enjoyed – sports, music, reading and many other things.

1. NEGLECTING FAMILY AND FRIENDS

If you are turning down social opportunities to stay at home and go online, you probably have an internet addiction. Something’s not right if you’d rather play online than hang out with friends (or you need some new friends!).

2. WITHDRAWING FROM OTHER ACTIVITIES

People addicted to the net also tend to withdraw from other activities that they previously enjoyed – sports, music, reading and many other things. If you notice that the internet has become your sole hobby, it’s time to get help.

3. HEIGHTENED EUPHORIA ONLINE

People with internet addictions are happiest when they are online, feeding their addiction. A heightened sense of euphoria online is associated with an addiction or the high risk of developing one.

4. CHANGES IN SLEEP PATTERN

If your sleep pattern has changed dramatically, it could be because of an internet addiction. Addicts often stay up late, unable to tear themselves away from the screen, and then struggle to get up the next day.

5. WEIGHT CHANGES

Internet addicts often pile the weight on rapidly because they give up exercise and snack all day at the computer, while others lose dangerous amounts of weight because their addiction is so strong that they won’t leave the computer to get something to eat.

6. EYE STRAIN OR DRY EYES

Staring at a computer screen for long periods of time will have a negative impact on your eyes. If your eyes are feeling strained, tired or dry after time online, you’ve been on for too long and it’s time to cut down.

7. COMPULSIVE SURFING AND SEARCHING

If you find yourself compulsively researching random topics to avoid working and other activities, and your productivity has declined because of it, you may well have an internet addiction.\

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