Sweden's first ever internet emergency room opened its doors in Stockholm last month. I guess it was about time, considering Sweden is one of the most connected countries in the world. That said, various scientists, experts and journalists have spent the past few years debating whether internet addiction is even a real thing that needs legitimate treatment centres, or just a modern urban legend.
Patrik Wincent, licensed therapist and founder of the internet ER, would argue the former. And you can understand why, considering his centre receives between ten to 15 phone calls a day from those worried their internet intake is verging on unhealthy.
Prior to setting up the rehab programme, Patrik spent a decade helping video game addicts break free from their controllers, and used to be addicted to games himself. So considering I – like most of my friends – spend the majority of my time online, he seemed like the perfect person to speak to about how I can avoid checking myself in to his internet ER.
(...)
Yes, I think so. We see people today who are colliding into each other and walking into trees – things that can cause damage for life. But aside from the physical consequences, it's not very sexy to be staring at a screen the whole time, and it shows a lack of respect for other people. We've become stimulant addicts in many ways, which can cause psychological as well as physical side effects. Today, a lot of people are great at multi-tasking. But research shows that, due to this multi-tasking, people are developing learning difficulties. It gets more difficult to take in information and focus on one thing for a long period of time. We see a lot of people showing ADHD-like symptoms. Full story...
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Patrik Wincent, licensed therapist and founder of the internet ER, would argue the former. And you can understand why, considering his centre receives between ten to 15 phone calls a day from those worried their internet intake is verging on unhealthy.
Prior to setting up the rehab programme, Patrik spent a decade helping video game addicts break free from their controllers, and used to be addicted to games himself. So considering I – like most of my friends – spend the majority of my time online, he seemed like the perfect person to speak to about how I can avoid checking myself in to his internet ER.
(...)
Yes, I think so. We see people today who are colliding into each other and walking into trees – things that can cause damage for life. But aside from the physical consequences, it's not very sexy to be staring at a screen the whole time, and it shows a lack of respect for other people. We've become stimulant addicts in many ways, which can cause psychological as well as physical side effects. Today, a lot of people are great at multi-tasking. But research shows that, due to this multi-tasking, people are developing learning difficulties. It gets more difficult to take in information and focus on one thing for a long period of time. We see a lot of people showing ADHD-like symptoms. Full story...
Related posts:
- China's web junkies: electronic heroin internet addiction...
- Online gaming is South Korea's most popular drug...
- Generation of kids at risk of "screen addiction"
- Internet porn ruined my life...
- Japan to introduce internet 'fasting camps' for addicted kids...
- Surge in 'digital dementia'
- Internet addicts suffer withdrawal symptoms like drug addicts...
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