Internet addiction in the US is considered more widespread than alcoholism, and the question is raised as to whether it should be officially classified as a mental illness. An original diagram comparing internet addiction to smoking is interesting.
Iconic Displays conducted a survey that showed that 60% of people cannot leave the house without access to WiFi for more than a day, while 75% said that a week without Wi-Fi would make them more irritable and nervous than a week without coffee.
Widespread connectivity has revolutionized the way people communicate, stay organized, stay informed, work, and learn. However, there is a dark side to this story.
Internet addiction is officially known as Internet Use Disorder (IUD) and has many of the characteristics of other addictions such as alcohol, smoking, and gambling, with the addict often unable to control their impulses, in a way that is destructive to other areas of their life.
Let's look at the Iconic Displays diagram to see to what extent internet addiction is worrisome.
30% of respondents cannot leave the house without internet access for more than an hour
60% of respondents cannot leave home without internet access for more than a day
39% of respondents would give up coffee rather than the internet if they were forced to choose only one of the two, while 43% would choose to live without chocolate, respectively.
44% of respondents said they couldn't keep in touch with their relatives without access to the internet.
Finally, an overwhelming 75% said a week without the internet would be more frustrating than a week without coffee.
As reported in the research, internet access is so important that by 2014 it is estimated that there will be more than 1,200 airplanes that will offer in-flight wi-fi.
The diagram also points out that wireless networks at home can cause electrohypersensitivity, with 3%-8% of the developed world already showing the first symptoms, such as muscle aches, headaches, fatigue and nausea, when they are in a place with wireless internet.
