We rely on the internet for everything these days: scheduling appointments, email, online shopping and of course social media and Google. But is it doing more harm that it is good? Is it too distracting,  that it’s causing us to have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)?   The internet addiction is getting out of control.  It is taking over our lives and distracting us from more important things, like work and our families. The world wide web is taking over our children’s and teens lives causing them to have ADD/ADHD.  It is affecting our mental health.  In the following article, we shall discuss how the internet is taking control of our lives and our minds.

Is The Internet Giving You ADD?

An article in the Washington Post takes a look at how the internet could be causing a rise in ADD among both youth and adults. On an average day, we spend at least four to six hours online. Some of these hours might be productive, working or doing school work, but research has indicated that most of the time people find themselves distracted by cute animal videos, sales ads, or instant messaging with friends while they should be focusing on something else.

The internet is a never-ending source of information and entertainment such as videos, live streaming, and games. So it’s very easy to become distracted and completely forget about the task at hand. In the last ten years, ADHD has increased almost 4% in children and teens. As well, the internet has made ADD/ADHD worse in those who had already been diagnosed. For more information, click here.

Teens And Internet Addiction Linked To ADHD

CNN did an article that took a look at the link between ADD and internet addiction. In a recent study, up to 17.9% of teens are addicted to the internet in the US. However, the same survey indicated that children in Asian countries spent almost 8 hours a day online. But the number in America is rising as more and more children and teens have access to their own smartphones or tablets. The study also states that children with ADD/ADHD, depression, anxiety and social problems are more prone to become addicted to the internet. The article warns both parents and educators to take the possibility of internet addiction seriously and more closely monitor the amount of time our youth is spending online, as well as how they are using their time.

Humans Have A Shorter Attention Span Than Goldfish

An article in Time, a Microsoft Corp. reveals that humans now have a shorter attention span than goldfish, with an attention span of only 8 seconds. This is a 4-second drop from a previous study conducted in 2000. This decrease in the average attention span can be traced to spending more time on digital devices such as smartphones and computers.

Still, not sure if the internet is to blame for your ADD? Next time you’re online, keep track of exactly how long you are focused on your initial task before you open another browser to view a funny cat video or respond to an instant message or click on an ad. You’d be surprised at how many times a day your attention is diverted elsewhere! OPTOFF.