Are You An Internet Junkie?

Michelle Dawn · 01-03-2008, 12:58 PM

Lately (the past year) I have been growing more and more obsessed with the net. Blogs, Google Reader, Stumble Upon, BookCrossing, Flickr, etc. It seems everywhere I turn there is another great application, program, blog or forum. I can sit on the internet for hours and justify it by telling myself I am l learning about personal finance, or spirituality, or cooking, or being a mom, or photography or (heaven forbid) PRODUCTIVITY.

There is just so much good stuff out there! Usually, I start by reading my email accounts and replying; checking on any Ebay bids; checking in on Facebook contacts; comparing my bank accounts with my budget spreadsheet; looking in on any forums I've been posting on; opening my reader and reading blogs and commenting on a couple; research a new recipe on allrecipes; uploading a few pics I've taken and touching them up in a program like picnik or gimp; play around with a new blog I'm trying to start; do a couple of random stumbles on StumbleUpon... By now, hours have passed -if not THE ENTIRE DAY! Meanwhile I have been missing out on what could have been a good day of doing yoga, going for a walk, reading a book or chatting over a cup of tea.

So here are my questions to everyone:

1. How much time do you spend on the internet each day?

2. Do you stick to reading just a couple of blogs and one or two forums or do you have dozens you read? (I have 28 blogs in my reader and frequent about 3-4 forums: this number grows daily!)

3. Have you ever had to put a restriction on the amount of time you spend on the internet?

I'd like to be spending no more than 1 hour per day on the computer on work days and 2 hours on days off, but it seems like all my hobbies can be accessed from that little box that sits on my desk. When I turn it on to play some music or look up a recipe another 45 minutes is mysteriously gone by the time I get up!

farley2k · 01-03-2008, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michelle Dawn

1. How much time do you spend on the internet each day?

2. Do you stick to reading just a couple of blogs and one or two forums or do you have dozens you read? (I have 28 blogs in my reader and frequent about 3-4 forums: this number grows daily!)

3. Have you ever had to put a restriction on the amount of time you spend on the internet?

I'd like to be spending no more than 1 hour per day on the computer on work days and 2 hours on days off, but it seems like all my hobbies can be accessed from that little box that sits on my desk. When I turn it on to play some music or look up a recipe another 45 minutes is mysteriously gone by the time I get up!

I spend roughly 8 hours a day on the Internet, but my job allows me to multi-task so I can surf and work.

I am pretty selective about what I look at. Maybe 3-4 blogs and a couple forums. I think that is pretty light!

No restrictions!

Jess · 01-03-2008, 01:58 PM

I probably spend about seven or eight hours online as well. But that's between after classes and work (which is about four hours) and work (three or four hours), in which I'm also doing other tasks. Also, my online time includes not only personal activities like forums but also research. My personal online time revolves mostly around Gmail (which I check obsessively, unfortunately), Google Reader (I have maybe 75 blogs that I read - really need to weed them out), and occasionally LiveJournal. Facebook I check maybe once a week, because nothing on it ever really changes.

dontbuckme · 01-03-2008, 02:56 PM

1. How much time do you spend on the internet each day?

Ans. 2 to 10 hours, depends on whether I'm busy at work or not. If it is quiet (like today), I'm almost 100% on when I'm in the office. After work, will be family time.

2. Do you stick to reading just a couple of blogs and one or two forums or do you have dozens you read? (I have 28 blogs in my reader and frequent about 3-4 forums: this number grows daily!)

Ans. random, but usually those that I'm interested will be 2 to 3 only. This blog is a new one that I just found and sign up today.

3. Have you ever had to put a restriction on the amount of time you spend on the internet?

Ans. no. Up to some point, I'll feel boring or my eyes will start complaining, that's when I stop.

If you think you are becoming additive to the internet, then go to find something else to do, like meet with your friends (not on-line, but face to face), play monopoly with your family or do some sports with your colleques. Just do something to interact with people directly, you'll feel good.

Joanne · 01-03-2008, 03:45 PM

I go through spurts. Sometimes I'm on a lot, other times I go for days without putting on the computer. I absolutely love the internet.

I've met some really cool people that I would NEVER have had the opportunity to meet offline.

sloria1 · 01-03-2008, 04:18 PM

1. How much time do you spend on the internet each day?

I usually spend around an hour each day on the internet, but this varies a lot usually depending on how many e-mails I have. I might also have work to do on the computer.

2. Do you stick to reading just a couple of blogs and one or two forums or do you have dozens you read? (I have 28 blogs in my reader and frequent about 3-4 forums: this number grows daily!)

I have around 35 blogs in my Google Reader. I usally skim by posts pretty fast though. I usually save articles to read for later using del.icio.us. I only have 2 forums that I check regularly (including this one).

3. Have you ever had to put a restriction on the amount of time you spend on the internet?

I try to limit myself, but I haven't set an official restriction or anything like that. I try not to spend more than half an hour at a time on the internet.

Breaking away from the internet is as easy as making a call to a friend and setting up a time to meet.

PlantGeek · 01-03-2008, 05:32 PM

On days off, I've been known to spend 4+ hours online on several forums, reading 4-5 blogs, listening/downloading music, and just general browsing. Once I start, it's hard to get up off the couch!

I have a job that only allows me to sit behind a computer for short periods throughout the day and usually only to check/send email or other work related things. I love it that way though.

Michelle Dawn · 01-04-2008, 01:47 AM

Don't you love meaningful coincidences? The current article over at ZenHabits is about this very subject! Check it out here.

amandajane · 01-04-2008, 02:27 AM

Are you an internet junkie? In one word - yes, lol. When I'm at home and not at Uni or studying at home I'm generally on the net for a lot of hours a day. When my 9 year old demands my attention (I have him on a shared care basis) I hardly spend any time on the net.

I'm a web designer too, although that's taken a back seat over the last couple of years. It's good to make an income from a bad habit though eh, lol.

Savio · 01-04-2008, 02:29 AM

1. How much time do you spend on the internet each day?

It depends. Mostly 4 to 8 hours. I can access internet on my smartphone. So I keep checking between classes and whenever I'm idle. I really need to cut down on my screen time.

2. Do you stick to reading just a couple of blogs and one or two forums or do you have dozens you read?

I got 10-12 blogs that I read everyday. I'm gonna trim it down to 8 today. And i'm always active at any 2 forums.

3. Have you ever had to put a restriction on the amount of time you spend on the internet?

Yup. Sometimes I stay up all night and that just kinda ruins the next day. So I just give myself 1 hour in morning and 1 hour at night but still end up spending a lot more time than I want to.
Most of my time is spent at social networking sites and gaming sites.

01-03-2008, 12:58 PM	#1
Michelle Dawn Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: C-Town, PEI, Canada Posts: 68 Reputation: (10)	Are You An Internet Junkie? Lately (the past year) I have been growing more and more obsessed with the net. Blogs, Google Reader, Stumble Upon, BookCrossing, Flickr, etc. It seems everywhere I turn there is another great application, program, blog or forum. I can sit on the internet for hours and justify it by telling myself I am l learning about personal finance, or spirituality, or cooking, or being a mom, or photography or (heaven forbid) PRODUCTIVITY. There is just so much good stuff out there! Usually, I start by reading my email accounts and replying; checking on any Ebay bids; checking in on Facebook contacts; comparing my bank accounts with my budget spreadsheet; looking in on any forums I've been posting on; opening my reader and reading blogs and commenting on a couple; research a new recipe on allrecipes; uploading a few pics I've taken and touching them up in a program like picnik or gimp; play around with a new blog I'm trying to start; do a couple of random stumbles on StumbleUpon... By now, hours have passed -if not THE ENTIRE DAY! Meanwhile I have been missing out on what could have been a good day of doing yoga, going for a walk, reading a book or chatting over a cup of tea. So here are my questions to everyone: 1. How much time do you spend on the internet each day? 2. Do you stick to reading just a couple of blogs and one or two forums or do you have dozens you read? (I have 28 blogs in my reader and frequent about 3-4 forums: this number grows daily!) 3. Have you ever had to put a restriction on the amount of time you spend on the internet? I'd like to be spending no more than 1 hour per day on the computer on work days and 2 hours on days off, but it seems like all my hobbies can be accessed from that little box that sits on my desk. When I turn it on to play some music or look up a recipe another 45 minutes is mysteriously gone by the time I get up! __________________ Meet me at FRUGAL PARENTING "A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart" (Jonathan Swift)

01-04-2008, 01:47 AM	#8
Michelle Dawn Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: C-Town, PEI, Canada Posts: 68 Reputation: (10)	Don't you love meaningful coincidences? The current article over at ZenHabits is about this very subject! Check it out here. __________________ Meet me at FRUGAL PARENTING "A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart" (Jonathan Swift)

01-04-2008, 02:29 AM	#10
Savio Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 53 Reputation: (20)	1. How much time do you spend on the internet each day? It depends. Mostly 4 to 8 hours. I can access internet on my smartphone. So I keep checking between classes and whenever I'm idle. I really need to cut down on my screen time. 2. Do you stick to reading just a couple of blogs and one or two forums or do you have dozens you read? I got 10-12 blogs that I read everyday. I'm gonna trim it down to 8 today. And i'm always active at any 2 forums. 3. Have you ever had to put a restriction on the amount of time you spend on the internet? Yup. Sometimes I stay up all night and that just kinda ruins the next day. So I just give myself 1 hour in morning and 1 hour at night but still end up spending a lot more time than I want to. Most of my time is spent at social networking sites and gaming sites. __________________ A man should control his life. Mine is controlling me. --Rudolph Valentino.

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01-03-2008, 01:58 PM	#3
Jess Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 82 Reputation: (20)	I probably spend about seven or eight hours online as well. But that's between after classes and work (which is about four hours) and work (three or four hours), in which I'm also doing other tasks. Also, my online time includes not only personal activities like forums but also research. My personal online time revolves mostly around Gmail (which I check obsessively, unfortunately), Google Reader (I have maybe 75 blogs that I read - really need to weed them out), and occasionally LiveJournal. Facebook I check maybe once a week, because nothing on it ever really changes.

01-03-2008, 02:56 PM	#4
dontbuckme Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1 Reputation: (10)	1. How much time do you spend on the internet each day? Ans. 2 to 10 hours, depends on whether I'm busy at work or not. If it is quiet (like today), I'm almost 100% on when I'm in the office. After work, will be family time. 2. Do you stick to reading just a couple of blogs and one or two forums or do you have dozens you read? (I have 28 blogs in my reader and frequent about 3-4 forums: this number grows daily!) Ans. random, but usually those that I'm interested will be 2 to 3 only. This blog is a new one that I just found and sign up today. 3. Have you ever had to put a restriction on the amount of time you spend on the internet? Ans. no. Up to some point, I'll feel boring or my eyes will start complaining, that's when I stop. If you think you are becoming additive to the internet, then go to find something else to do, like meet with your friends (not on-line, but face to face), play monopoly with your family or do some sports with your colleques. Just do something to interact with people directly, you'll feel good.

01-03-2008, 03:45 PM	#5
Joanne Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Originally from New York City, now in Florida since 2002. Posts: 131 Reputation: (43)	I go through spurts. Sometimes I'm on a lot, other times I go for days without putting on the computer. I absolutely love the internet. I've met some really cool people that I would NEVER have had the opportunity to meet offline.

01-03-2008, 04:18 PM	#6
sloria1 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Reputation: (10)	1. How much time do you spend on the internet each day? I usually spend around an hour each day on the internet, but this varies a lot usually depending on how many e-mails I have. I might also have work to do on the computer. 2. Do you stick to reading just a couple of blogs and one or two forums or do you have dozens you read? (I have 28 blogs in my reader and frequent about 3-4 forums: this number grows daily!) I have around 35 blogs in my Google Reader. I usally skim by posts pretty fast though. I usually save articles to read for later using del.icio.us. I only have 2 forums that I check regularly (including this one). 3. Have you ever had to put a restriction on the amount of time you spend on the internet? I try to limit myself, but I haven't set an official restriction or anything like that. I try not to spend more than half an hour at a time on the internet. Breaking away from the internet is as easy as making a call to a friend and setting up a time to meet.

01-03-2008, 05:32 PM	#7
PlantGeek Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 18 Reputation: (10)	On days off, I've been known to spend 4+ hours online on several forums, reading 4-5 blogs, listening/downloading music, and just general browsing. Once I start, it's hard to get up off the couch! I have a job that only allows me to sit behind a computer for short periods throughout the day and usually only to check/send email or other work related things. I love it that way though.

01-04-2008, 02:27 AM	#9
amandajane Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 490 Reputation: (287)	Are you an internet junkie? In one word - yes, lol. When I'm at home and not at Uni or studying at home I'm generally on the net for a lot of hours a day. When my 9 year old demands my attention (I have him on a shared care basis) I hardly spend any time on the net. I'm a web designer too, although that's taken a back seat over the last couple of years. It's good to make an income from a bad habit though eh, lol.