Internet Addiction Monitor

by Mark Sichel, LCSW and Alicia L. Cervini

If you are concerned about the frequency, duration or intensity of your Internet surfing, the Internet Usage Monitor can help. Use the questions below to track your Internet behaviors and assess your Internet impulses. Are your reasons for surfing reasonable and healthy? Or are they indications that you are attempting to avoid, escape or replace other facets of your life?

Print out the list of questions below and keep them next to your computer. The next time you decide to log on, pull out the Internet Usage Monitor list. Or else, bookmark this page and make it the very first page you view whenever you log on to the Internet. Before surfing, honestly answer the questions.

If you find yourself answering "yes" to four or more of the questions below: seriously consider shutting down your computer and walking away. Surfing is clearly not a healthy thing for you to be doing at that time.

At the very least, record your responses every time you log on to the Internet in order to track your progress over time. Are you improving? Or getting worse? Are you better able to pinpoint the times at which you are most likely to succumb to surfing? If you do not find yourself improving, please consider seeking further help with your Internet addiction.
  1. Will surfing right now enable me to avoid a more difficult task in my life?

  2. Am I feeling deprived, lonely, angry, hungry, or needy right now?

  3. Have I wasted my time on the Internet in the last 24 hours? If so, how much? Am I about to waste my time again? Do I have better things to do right now?

  4. Do I have to keep this Internet session a secret from those who love me?

  5. Is this session on the Internet likely to cost me money that I don't have?

  6. Do I feel unable to control my impulse to surf right now?

  7. Will I likely delete my temporary Internet and cache files after this session for fear of being "caught?"

  8. Will this Internet session increase the likelihood that I will hide credit card bills from my spouse, partner, parents, friends, or children?

  9. Will I get "high" with excitement, palpitations, flushes, etc. during this Internet session?

  10. Did I turn down the opportunity to socialize with friends or loved ones in order to surf right now?

  11. Will this Internet session put stress on my primary love relationship?





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