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November 14, 2006, 01:50 PM ET
A Sharpening Focus on Internet Addiction
Thanks to the Internet, some experts say, the phrase "disruptive technology" is taking on a whole new meaning. And that's not something to be excited about.
A growing number of researchers -- including a team from Stanford University that published a study last month in CNS Spectrums -- are looking seriously at the disruptive effects of excessive Web use. In the Stanford team's survey, about 6 percent of respondents said their relationships suffered because of overuse of the Net, and about 9 percent of Web surfers said they had attempted to hide "nonessential Internet use."
For years psychiatrists have debated whether to classify Internet addiction as a distinct affliction, and it appears an official determination may be on the horizon. The American Psychiatric Association may consider listing Internet addiction in the next edition of its diagnostic manual, reports The Washington Post. --Brock Read
Categories: Research
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