Internet/Social Media Addiction

What makes it just so addicting for so many? Is it the intermittent rewards of you never know when you'll get a new reply or "like" or "apple" for a post and so you keep checking back?

There's a reason I've never drank, smoked or done any other drugs--I've known since I was 10 how additive books were, and when the internet came to our house, I soon learned how addictive that was! With the internet, there's always something more to learn, always something more someone's posting, always someone new that I can help... and I never know when any of it will happen. There's a reason I don't have a cellphone, either--I greatly fear I would stare at that thing all day long, rather than watching my 9 month old gurgle and crawl and my 3 year old explore the world...let alone darning all those holes my son has worn in his pants. As it is, I should have crawled into bed an hour ago--why am I still here typing this?!?

Anyone else battle the great Internet/Social Media Addiction. How do you balance real life and internet life?

I don't do all that linked up hooked in stuff.

I'm here right now because I had to eat, take some medication, and waiting for it to kick in so I have a chance at sleeping.

I have times I can be here and times I can't. I have a life, I have chores, a few acres and a hubby to chase (and after daylight, I get to fix something. The parts are arriving and after that I get to have a fixit party...)

So, Nicole, it's called, close the browser and walk away.

Good night, hon.

Nicole Alderman wrote:Is it the intermittent rewards of you never know when you'll get a new reply or "like" or "apple" for a post and so you keep checking back?

Yes.  I think for a lot of people, that's exactly what it is, especially for people that don't get a lot of positive reinforcement in their job, their home-life, whatever.  People want to think what they have to say is important.

This guy makes the most sense to me:  http://spiritualityhealth.com/articles/2012/10/10/gabor-mat%C3%A9-why-were-culture-addicts