The Internet has, to a great extent, transformed the way we live. It is an amazing medium where you can practically get to know about the whole world with a click of the mouse. Besides umpteen information and entertainment, its latest contribution is the various social networking sites that connect you to thousands of people. Although most of us enjoy the benefits of this useful medium, some people become compulsive internet users such that they neglect all other responsibilities and get completely hooked to the internet. In scientific parlance, this is often referred to as cyber addiction. Thousands of people the world over suffer from this addiction.

Signs and Symptoms

Cyber addiction is a relatively recent phenomenon and cannot be termed as a formal medical or psychological disorder like other forms of additions. However, it has been noticed that people who are totally addicted to internet have certain behavioral problems. For example, they often have problem with their personal lives and relationships. They have problem completing their daily activities at home or at work, completely lose track of time and responsibilities and in some way become isolated from people around although because they are always connected to the virtual world.

Treatment of Cyber Addiction

Treatment in the form of medication is not required in case of cyber addiction. One of the best methods is to ask someone close to the addict to explain to him the consequences of internet overuse. However, in serious cases, friendly talks and suggestions do not work. Researchers have compared cyber addiction to any other addiction in terms of seriousness and listed a few techniques to alleviate the problem.

Partial abstinence: Abstinence is a method used to treat alcohol or drug addiction. However, in case of cyber addiction, you cannot ask a person to stay completely away from internet usage as most businesses/studies today heavily rely on the internet. However, reducing the use of this medium as a deliberate attempt often proves to be very useful. The therapist should also make him alert regularly about the various complications that can occur from the avid usage of internet.

Motivational Interviewing: This is a technique that is used for assessing the addiction level of the addict. This is generally moderated by the therapist but involves people who are directly affected by the addict’s behavior, such as his friends, family, co-workers, and employers. The technique helps the addict to first understand how his actions are affecting others. Thereafter, the therapist can help him change his attitude towards compulsive internet use and activities.

Personal inventory: The therapist asks the addict to make a list of his daily activities or the things that has been neglecting for a while. After repeatedly seeing the list, he would be made to feel guilty and will start focusing on other activities as well. He is also encouraged to keep reminder cards and alerts so that he keeps a track of his time.

The Internet is probably the biggest invention for humanity. It has revolutionized work and social cultures across the world. With the advancements in the internet, the world can now be rightfully termed as a small “global village”. The total metamorphosis took place in terms of communication, information sharing, mode of gaining knowledge and much more. We are so much dependent on the use of the internet that sometimes we mistake addiction for usefulness. Playing games online throughout the day, surfing aimlessly are definite signs of addiction. Addiction no matter in what form, is bound to create some side effects.

Recently the world has witnessed the exponential growth pattern of internet usage. Trillions of business data (banks, financial institutions, airlines, online shopping portals etc) are stored or transferred instantly overseas. News from around the world is updated in seconds and not daily. Social networking has opened up a new dimension for people all around the world. They are taking communication to new heights, which imply that the world enjoys the benefits of internet usage. On a more thoughtful note, one may ask a question that, “how much is too much when it comes to the internet?”

The concept of compulsive internet use is not considered as a disorder formally. However, there has been empirical evidence, which shows that this type of using pattern creates many problems. The problem comes both personally and socially and affects the work. The using pattern of internet varies widely from person to person. Therefore, their treatment for addiction is also customized. “Internet addiction disorder” is a term, which was pioneered by Dr. Ivan Goldberg. Recently he himself changed the term to “Pathological computer use disorder”. There are several criteria’s which causes internet addiction. In severe cases, the symptoms can match up to the frequent use of drugs.

So checking the problem at a nascent stage is highly advisable. Compulsive use of internet causes distresses and tiredness. It also has a detrimental effect on the mental, physical health of the user. Although there is no doubt that internet is a spearhead of the modern world, it comes with a negative externality in terms of addiction. The common belief is that technology is amoral; it is not inherently good or evil. Its impact depends on how well we handle it. Alcohol and other mood-altering drugs create a moral vacuum, so does internet disorders.

Persistent problems are associated with compulsive internet usage. Many studies are conducted across the world by using multiple regression models, which indicated fatal results amongst people with internet addiction. 30% of the internet users almost use it like a drug to alter negative mood. Different studies of behavioral research have repeatedly pointed out that internet addiction is like compulsive gambling. There are probably two types of internet-based problems. In the first case, the internet itself becomes the focus on the compulsive behavior pattern. Secondly, a pre-existing behavioral pattern is amplified due to internet addiction.

There is no limit to one’s desire. A large number of problems often stem from the fact that there are theoretical suppositions. However clinically, they have been rather unsuccessful in achieving a positive result for solving the problem of ever-growing internet addiction. But of course, some efficient ways to overcome internet addiction exist.

Internet banking is a method of banking that can be done over the Internet from the comfort of your own home or office. You can pay bills, transfer money, check your account balance and do a variety of other financial transactions from your own personal computer. Also sometimes referred to as online banking, this can be done safely through your bank’s secure website.

Internet banking does not require anything expensive or fancy in regards to hardware or software and your Internet connection does not have to be anything special either. Most of the times an ordinary web browser such as Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox can be used to satisfy your banking needs.

Internet banking has many advantages. First of all, you can bank when you want to and not just when the banks and teller service is available which in a lot of cases equals a very short period of time. As well you can do your banking if you are out of the state on vacation or if you have to go away on business. Your bank is as close as your nearest Internet connection. You can pay your utility bills by way of Internet banking, as well as your credit cards and set up direct debits is no problem whatsoever when you choose to bank in this manner. If you need to look back a few weeks or months at bills you have paid you can do this via Internet banking. For those who enjoy the convenience of shopping in cyberspace, you can make online purchases and then pay the bill directly by using the Internet banking option.

For those who still enjoy going to an actual physical bank, a lot of banks offer their customers the chance to do some of their financial dealings at the bank and try out the online banking services as well. Internet banking is not exactly the same from bank to bank but most offer their customers basic kinds of services such as paying bills, checking balance information and transferring funds.

Privacy and security are two of the biggest concerns for customers when it comes to Internet banking. Find out what your bank’s privacy policy is as well as what customer information it is permitted by law to share with other financial institutions. Take the time to look into the bank’s “information security procedures” to ensure that there is no way that anyone else can get into your account, even by accident. Two more important points about Internet banking to keep in mind. First, keep your PIN number private and secure and never give it to anyone through e-mail and secondly, get into the habit of changing your password as often as possible.