Sunny, beautiful Sunday, perfect day for the beach. You call the kids and then you hear MOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM I DON'T WANT TO GO !!!!! I'M CHATTING WITH MY FRIENDS !!!!!!. Separating the fingers from the keyboard can prove to be tough and after that you have to deal with long faces. It's 3 A.M and you wake up because of a noise! You start to walk slowly with a shoe in your hand (very effective weapon!). A pale light is coming from the kids' room. When you look inside you find your husband hypnotized like a zombie in front of the screen of the computer. A very smart DUHHHH???? is the only answer you can get. Sounds familiar?? Well somebody close to you might be suffering from an addiction to the Internet, also known as Pathological Internet Use (PIU) by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Somebody is considered to be suffering from Internet addiction when the person's life starts to be disrupted because of an excessive use of the Internet. The Internet is a fine hobby or work tool, until it causes problems with social partners, work, or school, and its excessive use is considered addictive, in the same way as drugs, alcohol, gambling, video games, and some types of eating disorders. An addict spends an average of 38 hours per week in front of the computer, compared with 8 hours a week for "non-addicts" in comparison.

Surprisingly, studies show that most of the addicts are not what is called "technical people", but normal, regular people with low tech jobs or unemployed, such as secretaries, bank tellers, teachers, advertising executives, journalists and of course students and kids. Those who suffer from low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy, or frequent disapproval from others are at the highest risk of becoming net addicts.
More than 90 percent became addicted to the two-way or interactive communication functions of the Internet like chat rooms, newsgroups, games and E-mail.

Most Internet addictions can be classified in one of these groups:

-Addiction to "Cyber relations" or "Virtual Communities" - the sense of community or belonging that some virtual groups can transmit can make the addict very dependent on them. After a while they can become "family". You share secrets that you wouldn't tell your best friend, protected by the wall of anonymity, to somebody you have never met. This proves to be true especially with people that have problems socializing or adapting to society.

-Addiction to "Cybersex" Suffered by people that are hooked to pornography sites or sexual chat rooms.

-Addiction to "Information search": Some people just can't stop searching for information on many different subjects, related or not to their field.

-Addiction to On-Line games Mostly kids become dependent on these interactive games, usually violent, and sometimes the parents are happy because they keep them busy.

-Addiction to On-Line shopping Some people just can't stop buying through the net. In Argentina is not so common because on-line shopping hasn't become very popular yet.

Summarizing, net addiction has become one of the bad side effects of technology, and one that can be dangerous as any of the better known addictions and should be taken seriously. So if you find that your mate occupies your place at the table with the computer and calls it "darling" you might hint what the problem is.

I’am a cyber addict?
Take the test below and check if you qualify as an addict to the Internet. Do you:

1. Feel preoccupied with the Internet (i.e., thinking about the Internet when offline)?
2. Feel a need to use the Internet with increasing amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction?
3. Have an inability to control your Internet use?
4. Feel restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet use?
5. Use the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a poor mood (i.e., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression)?
6. Lie to family members or friends to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet?
7. Jeopardize or risk the loss of significant relationship, job, and educational or career opportunity because of the Internet?
8. After spending an excessive amount of money on online fees, often return another day?
9. Go through withdrawal when offline (e.g., increased depression, anxiety, etc.)?
10. Stay online longer than originally intended?

If you meet four or more of these criteria during a 12-month period you can be showing symptoms of addiction and should consult a professional.
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