Signs you may have an internet addiction

Internet addiction has been defined as a compulsive need to spend a great deal of time on the internet doing activities such as gambling, shopping, gaming or stock trading. 

Sheila Wanjiku knows all too well about internet addiction and spoke to Wananchi Reporting about her experience:

I find the internet to be a very Interesting, entertaining and pleasant place to be.

I spend most of my time on Tik tok, I find it very entertaining and educative since I've learnt recipes, places to visit, where to shop on a budget and skills such as make up and working online.

 I find myself scrolling through Tik tok and using apps such as YouTube, Instagram and Twitter a lot and before I realise it, time has flown.

This has interrupted my sleeping schedule since I wake up late for work or I feel sleep deprived and I end up being slow during the day, this causes headaches, moodiness, back aches and strained vision. However, on the positive side, I have made friends online since I am shy in person – I find comfort in the partial anonymity of being online and still being able to show my true self. 

Whenever I am  online, I get a euphoric feeling that makes me very happy, it's also a great way to escape reality, negative thoughts and emotions, I get instant gratification whenever I am online. 

On busy days when I am at work, I get anxious about what I’m missing out on on social media.

I usually can't wait to get back online and this makes me lose focus. My obsession also leads to information overload as I spend time researching about various things. 

The downside of being online all the time is that I sometimes feel pressure to achieve more as I see what other people my age are accomplishing.

There’s also the issue of cyber bullying.

 I would encourage people to spend a limited amount of time on the internet, try to benefit from educative sites, find a better relaxation method, rediscover neglected areas in your life and identify which gap the internet fills and how you can fill it alternatively.

According to Psychguides.com, one might be suffering from an internet addiction if they experience anxiety, feelings of guilt or depression from extended internet activity.

Other symptoms include avoiding work, isolation and defensiveness.