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Every participant in my cyber recovery groups shares one thing in common: escapism. Video games, online social networking, and the Internet provide us with alternate realities, different worlds that allow us to avoid the unpleasantness and dissatisfaction of the world we inhabit. The extent to which we avoid our problems mirrors, in many respects, our… Read more
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I am a cyber junkie in recovery, but Alex, a 23-year old friend, is in a decidedly different league. Most of his favorite music comes from video game theme songs. Not only does he play video games incessantly, but he watches simulcasts of video game tournaments online! He thinks of little else. He has trouble… Read more
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While I personally feel that my ten-year, 14,000 hour gaming odyssey was a complete waste, I am not so naïve that I ignore the benefits of video games. I write and have written extensively about the drawbacks and dangers of this 21st-century amusement, but I strive for a balanced perspective. Let’s not forget that a… Read more
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A study reported this year in the Journal of Adolescence found that heavy internet use among children and young adults correlates with a significantly higher risk for obesity, skipping meals, and sleep disorders. While the majority of young people regularly engage in cyber activities without a problem, many are becoming addicted and ruining their chances… Read more
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Reflecting on my own struggles with Internet addiction as well as those of people who have participated in my cyber recovery groups, I am convinced that escape and fantasy fuel our obsession. The mundane rhythms of our lives are unsatisfying, and unfulfilled dreams die hard. The Internet offers a potent outlet, but many of us… Read more