The Internet: A Drug?

“A young man had to have his leg cut off, because he develops a “blood clot” after siting for a long period of time focusing on his computer” (Beato 132). Lately, most parents have been paying more attention to the negative influence of “drugs, [and] alcohol” than to the negative impact of the Internet (Campbell and Gatehouse par.7). Doubtless, the Internet has had many positive effects on people’s life throughout the world for the last few decades. It can be informative, convenient, resourceful and fun. However, the Internet can also cause problems just as drugs do on humans. According to the graph from “‘Teen Fact Sheet, Pew Research Internet Project,” more than 12.5 percent of teenagers suffer from “problematic use” of the Internet (McWhorter 132). Moreover, the number of cases that involve Internet addiction in teens is growing (Campbell and Gatehouse par.7). In my opinion, Internet addiction should be classified as a medical condition because it affects people’s lives negatively and harms their mental health.

Overusing the Internet affects people’s lives adversely. First, the Internet disturbs teens in their school life. Colin Campbell and Jonathon Gatehouse suggest that: an obsession with the Internet “might” cause teenagers suffer from a “minor problem like slipping grades” (Campbell and Gatehouse par.7). A Harvard junior “lost [his] scholarship because he spent too much time playing games” (Beato par.7). Second, according to statistics in “a large U.K. study,” “12 percent of the 7,000” citizens “[responded]” that they can not “live without their games” (Campbell and Gatehouse par.9). Also, to stop themselves from “[feel] bored and [anxious],” they are spending “30 to 40 hours a week” on the Internet (Campbell and Gatehouse par.9). Moreover, Shawn, a “[21-year-old]” male’s life was turned upside-down because he was addicted to an online game, Everquest. He had given up his job and been evicted from the place his lived. What is more alarming, a South Korean baby “[starved] to death” because his parents were focusing on an online game (Beato 133). The Internet is severely affecting people’s lives.

Becoming obsessed with the Internet damages people’s psychological health. To build a healthy mental state, teenagers should be communicating with others, but some teens who are addicted to the Internet spend most of their time on video games. Campbell and Gatehouse are concern that this situation might make teens lose their interest in other leisure activities (par.7). For example, Brandon Crisp, who ran away from home because his parents take away his Xbox, “[spends]” lots of time on video games so that his friendship sphere narrowed from a basketball team to three “[close]” mates who played the video game with him (Campbell and Gatehouse par.3). Moreover, express self’s emotions