Addicted to the computer?

Since I have been around 11 years old (I'm now a "fully fledged" 15 year old), my 'favourite' past-time, at least in terms of the length I spent doing it, has always been the computer. Days on end I have spent just sitting here, chatting on Yahoo! Messenger and now, more recently, MSN Messenger.

The problem is I realise I am completely wasting my time. It's not as if I'm kidding myself that these activities are useless. I'm attempting to lose weight etc. and although I have always been a sporty chap, it's been difficult with my addictions.

Another problem is that when I "ban" myself from the computer, I crave it and then just watch TV all day. How can I, more or less, eradicate the computer from my life? I would still go on semi-regularly, but I doubt a day has went past since I have been 11, when I have been home and allowed on the computer at least, that I haven't gone on it.

How do I deal with this?

Reply 1

pink_lucie

14

get rid of the internet and buy a bike

Reply 2

Anonymous #1

OP

gossip_girl

get rid of the internet and buy a bike

That's not really an option. I still need to use the internet on occasions. By the way, one of the main reasons I am addicted to the computer is because I do not go out during week days, due to my geography.

Reply 3

brimstone

7

Ask your parents to take the Internet cable, and only give it to you when you need to use the computer for work.

Reply 4

pink_lucie

14

Anonymous

That's not really an option. I still need to use the internet on occasions. By the way, one of the main reasons I am addicted to the computer is because I do not go out during week days, due to my geography.

excuses excuses. you can do anything you put your heart to.

Reply 5

Euan_hmfc

brimstone

Ask your parents to take the Internet cable, and only give it to you when you need to use the computer for work.

Good point. Or when I need to use it. That way they can carefully moderate how much I am using it.

If you read the full extent of my post, though, you would have noticed that when not using the computer, my tendency is to watch loads of television instead (incidently, I rarely watch television normally).

I don't know how to deal with that either...

Reply 6

Breaker

Well, is it negativly affecting your life? In the words of the Pythons 'you come from nothing, you go back to nothing. What have you lost? Nothing!'
Everyone has a hobby, provided its not getting in the way of school/Job/Relationships then whats the problem, you're only wasting your time if there is something better to do & you aren't doing it.
Just my 2c.

Reply 7

Euan_hmfc

gossip_girl

excuses excuses. you can do anything you put your heart to.

My mum and dad want to use it. The point is not totally eradicating it from my life: it's more trying to eradicate it from BEING my weekday life. I still want to use it - after all, the Internet is an extremely useful resource - but definately do not want to go on it every day for two, three hours a day. I need to limit it, but somehow I struggle to do it even though I know it's the correct thing to do.

Reply 8

Breaker

You undestand that you being on this forum is kinda ironic.

2 more things i thought of......

1) a girl who is into riding gets up at 5am to feed n water her horse, after work she goes back to muck out & ride, before she goes to bed she has to go & lock up etc....plus she'll spend the entire weekend grooming & showjumping, whatever.....she will spend maybe 10k a year on her addiction....how is this worse than using the net.
2) make sure you do have some other interests & hobbies, oneday you'll want a job & professional gaming/surfing on your CV just looks crap.

Reply 9

Euan_hmfc

Breaker

You undestand that you being on this forum is kinda ironic.

2 more things i thought of......

1) a girl who is into riding gets up at 5am to feed n water her horse, after work she goes back to muck out & ride, before she goes to bed she has to go & lock up etc....plus she'll spend the entire weekend grooming & showjumping, whatever.....she will spend maybe 10k a year on her addiction....how is this worse than using the net.
2) make sure you do have some other interests & hobbies, oneday you'll want a job & professional gaming/surfing on your CV just looks crap.

1) Yeah but that's doing something she enjoys. In reality, I don't enjoy the internet as much as I do other things - but yet, for some reason, I am on it every day, enticed by something which I can't quite put my finger on.

2) Dudeee... I have played football for a club since I was 7 years old, recently joined a Rugby team, I have played tennis, badminton and squash regularly though had to quit for exams. I have other things, just one thing - the internet - takes up waay to much time.

Reply 10

Pandy

10

I used to be addicted. I still use the PC a lot during term time weekdays 'cos going out isn't really an option. But when you get a bit older maybe you'll start going out more. I didn't start actively going out on Friday/Saturdays till I was 16 (lower sixth).

Give it time and you'll grow out of it a wee bit.

Reply 11

*titanium*

12

Anonymous

That's not really an option. I still need to use the internet on occasions. By the way, one of the main reasons I am addicted to the computer is because I do not go out during week days, due to my geography.

When i was reading that i got a glimpse of the last word a line before i got to it and thought it said pronography :p:

As for bieng addicted, if you try and stop using the PC you will be bored so of course you are not going to stop, instead of concentrating on not using your pc just try and arnage other activities to do, this wya you are doing other things then just being on your pc.

I use the PC a lot, but i dont see a problem with it. I do a lot of sports and go out a lot, i like to read often. So why does it matter if i am also on the pc a lot. There is nothing wrong with using it a lot, the only problem is if you never do anything else.

So dont start thinking you need to stop using the PC just start thinking you need to start doing lots of other activites because that seems to be your problem rather then the excesive use of the pc.

Reply 12

Anonymous #2

Yep, it is an addiction, it is useful though!!!!!! Just make sure you do other stuff with your life too and don't look back and think all u did is sit on msn!

Reply 13

PaulRevere

A few years ago I was pretty much in the same situation as you. I spent way too long on the computer each day and I realised it was growing into an addiction. Then, during the summer, I went on a holiday with my parents. We went on a trek in the mountains, walking from cabin to cabin for a week and a half. These cabins rarely had electricity and never a computer/TV and it was a true relief. I realised how unnecessary computers and televisions were, and how great life could be without them.

This trip sort of changed things for me, I started going out more, becoming a lot more sociable and whenever I found myself sitting in front of the computer and not really doing anything I would go for a walk/run/bikeride.

So basically, if possible, I would really recommend doing something similar. Take a tent or something, bring a friend/girlfriend and just go for a hike, and stay in nature for a while, isolating yourself from the computer and tv. You might just understand how cool life without them is.

I realise I'm on an internet forum, but I don't spend a ridiculous amount of time here!

Reply 14

HipsAndHearts

10

What about limiting your time on the computer and tv is something like an hour a day. Then spend the rest of it doing all the other suggestions.

Reply 15

Kolya

17

Read an interesting book :smile:

Reply 16

Wez

14

Get hobbies.

Read more.

Meet up with friends more/ try to make more friends.

It's somewhat ironic asking how to get off the PC by posting on TSR. :smile:

Reply 17

DoMakeSayThink

15

I still spend too much time on the PC, and I've cut down a lot in the past few years. However, I think you have it the wrong way round. Ditching the computer will not cause you to have a social life. Getting a social life will cause you to ditch the computer.

As for the geography problem, I quite often cycle 17.5 miles (each way) to visit my girlfriend, and not only is it good exercise and a nice way of seeing the countryside, I get to spend my time with someone I love afterwards. Find a hobby (or person) you like a lot, and you'll most likely be ready to do a lot for it. So, to reiterate, the best way is to find something else to take up the time before you start trying to go cold turkey etc. You may well find it's not even neccessary to actively limit yourself.

Reply 18

Lecter

12

I find i seem to spend more time on forums. During my stressful applying to uni, i sent hours on 3 forums, medschoolguide , admissionsforum and TSR . They were quite useful especially for my UCAS and inteviews and TSR for coursework/exams but now i just addicted! I hope when i go to uni i dont bother as i seem to spend more time on here than actually doing anythign constructive.

Reply 19

rawkingpunkster

sign up for a new sport. get yourself busy and occupied

Addicted to the computer?

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