How to Avoid Internet Addiction

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Spending hours and hours in front of the computer? Many people suffer from the addiction from the internet and have a hard time paying attention to the important things around them. Read this and then get off the computer.

Steps

1. Get a hobby or an interest. Get involved with teams, clubs, sports, music, dancing, or singing. Go for a run with a friend or exercise. Sleep instead of thinking of the internet. Keep up with the local events in your community. There may be talks, film screenings, concerts and book signings etc. that are of interest to you.
   
2. Complete your studies. Do your homework and study. This is a great thing to do the first thing when you get home and you will feel great knowing that you did your homework early. Read books or research at the library instead of browsing Wikipedia for information. Study lessons that you learned for the day, whether there's a test the next day or not.
   
3. Help with meals. Your parents will be happier that you're helping out with dinner or dishes than chatting online. This also will achieve self-accomplishment knowing that you can get off the computer for a while. Cook or bake something one night for the family.
   
4. Hang out with friends. Plan a trip to the bowling alley, mall, or ice rink. Places that have internet access such as coffee shops, may give you second thoughts about jumping online for a few minutes. Get a friend to walk a dog with you for the afternoon.
   
5. Plan family nights. Instead of watching TV or doing individual things during dinner time, eat dinner as a family on the table and plan games afterwards.
   
6. Limit your computer time. Make sure not to turn it on too many times a week. If you have a laptop, make sure to put it somewhere that you can remember, but don't come around there that often. Try keeping the lid closed when you are not using it; when the computer is not looking at you, you are less likely to use it. If you have a desktop PC, try not to go near it or put something over it like a sheet.
   
7. Call people instead of IM'ing. Call a friend and ask them to go outside for at least 3 hours a day.This will distract you from the computer.Also make your homework together. Avoid addicting sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Limewire, etc.
   

Tips

• Get your family members after you about being on the Internet too long.
  
• Think about the electric, internet and computer bills you will save without having internet.
  
• If you plan on quitting the Internet forever, do not think about doing anything with the internet.
  
• Exercise at your computer.
  
• Make a list of reasons why it's better off the computer.
  
• Try to stay off websites that are addictive such as FaceBook, MySpace, Xanga, and MyYearbook. Photobucket counts too. If you have problems getting off of these sites, just have someone else block these sites using your built in Content Advisor or if you are using Windows Vista, use the parental controls to control internet access and time on computer.
  
• Try using the computer at the library. You won't be as tempted to look at certain websites (such as porn, MySpace, etc.) and they do have a limit on how long you can stay online. Also, the library is a good place to get some good books and magazines to read, so you won't be as tempted to be on the Internet at home.
  
• When you are younger than 14, limit your time on the Internet to about 2 hours per day. You are pretty much too young to be on most sites under 9th grade, especially MySpace.
  
• Make sure to not go near it when ever you feel the urge.
  
• If you have a laptop make sure you do NOT forget where you put it.Keep a note in your office or something like that.
  

Warnings

• You may still need the computer for school/work or for a college project. That's fine, just don't overdo it.
  
• Try not to look at too much pornography; it's not so healthy and it may ruin your mind. Site such as YouTube and MySpace might get you hooked onto porn at a very young age.
  
• After about 15 mins on the computer, get up and stretch to prevent eye and muscle fatigue. Long periods of time with your hands at a keyboard or mouse can cause carpal tunnel syndrome and other serious disorders.
  

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