Internet addiction is a real thing. Millions of people probably deal with it and don't even know it, by using social media or refreshing newsfeeds compulsively

Internet addiction is a real thing. Millions of people probably deal with it and don't even know it, by using social media or refreshing newsfeeds compulsively and not even realizing the impact it has on people. It's one thing for some of y'all not to get it or understand it - great. I'm happy that there are people with healthy boundaries for that. It's shameful how many posts in this thread are making light of it. "Three days is nothing pal, hey I went 45 minutes without coffee who wants my blog?". --- I had COVID right before Christmas. I had to cancel all my plans. Christmas was relatively slow news-wise. Lots of my friends were busy, and the few I interact with online were doing family things. So I had time to myself, with no compulsion to go out or to seek friends to hang out with. It was incredible. I remember playing Skyrim a lot, which I've wanted to do for a long time. I watched some good TV. I read a book. I worked the ham radio. I cleaned the house. And I was happy at the end of each day, other than blowing my nose 75 times. Oh, and I didn't drink either. Now I'm back to my routine. Several days a week of no drinking. Several days a week of 7-10 drinks. Every 10-15 minutes is a swipe/refresh of reddit. Whenever a loading screen pops up at work for more than a moment I "ctrl-T, ctrl-L, new" and open up google or HN. Compulsive behavior is awful. Not having focus is awful. FOMO is awful. And I'll preemptively tell you to eat a cottonball sandwich if you think it's as simple as "well, don't do it". I'm sure the answer incorporates a support structure from friends, changing communications habits to be less worried about missing messages, and even therapy. Hey, wouldn't you know, talking and blogging about it can help.