Check out this petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/textmess/petition.html

Texting is not a Mental “disorder”!

Take Your Mental Disorders and Your Psych Drugs and Your UnScientific Diagnostic & Statistical Manual and Shove Them! Petition to The American Psychiatric Association and Psych Drug Manufacturers.

Actually, this isn't something to be taken lightly, I must admit that when I'm unable to access the internet (computer dies/power off, or whatever) it's disabling, and I get strong cravings as the article describes. 

The psychological journal wants to see this particular craving categorised as an actual obsession or whatever, which is probably quite right. Whether or not it's merely engendered by our modern always-on society, is by the by.

It's not out-dated philistines fearing new technologies, it's people trying to get a grip on it.

"86 per cent of Internet junkies have a form of mental sickness..."

So, 86% of junkies are addicted? What about the other 24% of junkies?

[Sub ed comments... or 14% maybe?]

I come here almost everyday lol.... what does that make me....

can I do without yes..but practically the internet makes my life easier... 
its like a microwave... 
its about inconvenience 

with all the social networking site I am sure ppl spend way to much time on their computers uploading their lives for some one to comments on it.... sad

what sadder is that the addicted doctors think that they need meds to help with it...

try Self control....

Saying someone is addicted to the Internet is like saying Columbus was 'addicted' to the New World... 

This whole topic is just people who reached adulthood before the Web, reacting to the fact that the nature of life in this world is changing out from under them. We will all be part of the Borg, with wireless net-centric implants tying us together and enslaving us forever before the end of this century. 

If that completely freaks you out, it just means that you are old enough now that you'll have passed away before the thing becomes completely manditory, so you can consider yourself lucky. If it doesn't freak you out, then effectively, your already a part of it.

how about reading lots of INQ's articles everyday?

In the US we call it obsessive-compulsive disorder. Interesting difference, if it isn't wrong.

I guess the drug companies need to increase their sales. Will AMD or intel be held accountable for their products that are causing the problem. ATI and Nvidia are making the games look so real. When will the NSA come and take me away for being a terrorist because I'm killing way to many virtual enemies while on the MEC "Middle East Coalition". My porn movies are not long enough. Im so depressed. Here in Ottawa we are stuck under 3+ meters of snow what will I do. Please give me a pill. LOL