14 ms·
I have to disagree with this. After many years of trying to ween myself off the internet, I've come to realise that it isn't solely certain services that are ad
by brazed_blotch 5y ago
I have to disagree with this. After many years of trying to ween myself off the internet, I've come to realise that it isn't solely certain services that are addicting - the internet itself is. Some things can amplify this addiction, but the common denominator (for me) is access to _limitless_ information.
Things that have amplified my internet addiction I think are access to unfiltered internet, online games, social media and porn at a very young age (since around 6 years old - I am gen Z for reference, so I've grown up with normalised smartphone/social media/gaming addiction), as well as how normal it is to be addicted to these things. The fact that I now (subconsciously) associate using a computer with the aforementioned vices means that I have come to _expect_ the dopamine hit when I use them makes doing actual work (because my job is mostly computer based) even harder.
It has got to the point to where I now do not have internet in my house because if I do, I'll just use it all day (despite having various commitments). I now only use the internet in public spaces, on public wireless. This combined with planning my days/weeks/quarter (this is essential for overcoming internet addiction IMO) seems to have solved my addiction. I still have a dumb phone for receiving calls and texts (SIM card is super-glued in) and a smartphone without a SIM card for navigation - the point is, access to information is limited.