Internet addiction surfaces in China and New Jersey
The specter of Internet "addiction" is suddenly everywhere: The Guardian reports that Shanghai "has opened mainland China's first shelter for Internet addicts," and Ars Technica picks up a Rutgers University study that suggests "employers who encourage workers to remain connected all the time... may be legally liable for creating an environment in which workers may become addicted to technology."
OK, it may seem a bit farfetched, but then not long ago so too did the notion that cigarette manufacturers could be sued for the health risks associated with smoking. Certainly, it's way too early to sell short those companies with the fastest Web connections and the most generous BlackBerry policies, but the dangerously habit-forming nature of Web access isn't entirely laughable either. It seems a study by the Chinese Academy of Sciences "blamed Internet addiction for 80% of the failure rate among students." The Browser is sympathetic, knowing how hard it is to pry oneself away from the glowing screen, the compulsive email checking, the tingling of carpal-tunnel-wracked digits. We ask you: Is the threat of on-the-job Internet addiction bunk, or a legitimate concern for corporate America? Internet addiction is alive and well, but at work it's just more interesting to surf the'Net instead of working. The problem is, if one is truly addicted, they can't stop themselves regardless of where they are. As long a jobs get done though, I think it shouldn't really matter.
I'm more concerned with degrading vision than technology addiction. I do not now the answer. I only know that i am addicted, so is my wife. And my friends. And most of the neighbours.
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