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    Why Most People Say They're Addicted to the Internet [INFOGRAPHIC]

    Are you addicted to the Internet?

    If so, you're not alone. Some 61% of people feel addicted to the Internet and are unable to quit browsing, according to an informal survey.

    [More from Mashable: Doctor: Internet Addiction Could Become a Chronic Childhood Disease]

    Opinion pollster SodaHead surveyed 602 visitors to its site Feb. 16. about whether they experience Internet addiction, and found that many people are self-diagnosed addicts.

    Women experience addiction more than men, with 64% of women compared with 55% of men reporting the symptoms of addiction.

    Interestingly, respondents addicted to other behaviors were less likely to be addicted to the Internet. Only 48% of smokers, compared with 65% of non-smokers, experience addiction. The margin between drinkers and non-drinkers was narrower, with 57% of drinkers and 64% of non-drinkers describing themselves as Internet addicts.

    SEE ALSO: Afraid of Losing Your Phone? You May Have Nomophobia, Like Half the Population

    Among respondents who felt addicted, teenagers between 13 and 17 were worst off, with 73% reporting addiction. As respondents get older, they reported subsequently less addiction, with the exception of those 65 and over, who feel more addicted than their counterparts between 45 and 64.

    The poll found that the Internet users who spend the most time online were the least likely to be Internet addicts. Those between 45 and 54, on average, spend the most time each week online, reporting almost 40 hours of browsing each week. Teens, who feel the most addicted spend the least amount of time online, reporting only 22.3 hours per week of use.

    Do you consider yourself an Internet addict? How many hours do you spend online each week? Let us know in the comments.

    Thumbnail image courtesy of iStockphoto, alex-mit

    This story originally published on Mashable here.

     

    16 comments

    • Max the Disturbed Vizsla  •  3 mths ago
      That's quite a story. I'll have to finish reading it later.
    • larry h  •  3 mths ago
      Actually I think its quite true as I find it difficult to not check the darn computer constantly. I think we will someday realize that mankind is loosing its touch with a real world for the screen in front of us. Not a good thing I am sure.
    • Michael  •  3 mths ago
      p0rn, mmorpgs, yahoo comments... yes, i'll admit it. i'm addicted to the internuts
    • Concerned  •  3 mths ago
      The question is are you not doing the things you need to do because you surf the internet. After a while, I get bored surfing the net. I usually do it out of boredome. We are in a transition. Are we going to enslave computers or let them enslave us. Is computer use bad, no not really. Is excessive use bad, yes. Is it bad for kids to not interact with each other accept through texting and cell phones, probably. If you are addicted to something that does not ruin you life who the hell cares. I for one, wish my wife would do more house cleaning instead of playing on facebook while I am at work.
    • QQ  •  3 mths ago
      Headline is "Why Most People Say They're Addicted to the Internet" but says nothing about WHY people say that. It talks about WHO says it. Please tell me they know the difference between why and who.
    • Spy  •  3 mths ago
      I am on the internet to check email, upload pix, and listen to streaming radio. Other times I watch videos on Youtube, bootlegged TV episodes, or I'm doing some online banking. And still other times I will get on here and argue with Republiturd anti-abortionists who are so worried about everyone killing fetuses, lol.
    • Rick  •  3 mths ago
      #firstworldproblems
    • Corey  •  Grand Rapids, Michigan  •  3 mths ago
      I make money on my computer doing different things thats how i put mine to good use no Doubt
    • treesrme  •  Costa Mesa, California  •  3 mths ago
      human beings are addictive in nature. the powers that be use that against us constantly. tv is a big one.
    • Eddie  •  3 mths ago
      Addicted to boring and "trustworthy" polls.. Nope
    • Scott  •  Arlington, Virginia  •  3 mths ago
      Is this a meta article about shedding light on people who peruse Yahoo news articles as being addicted to the internet?
    • Dave Lister  •  Ames, Iowa  •  3 mths ago
      l;k
    • off topic  •  3 mths ago
      One of the better YAhoo articles I've read in awhile. Maybe since Penelope Trunk.
    • A Yahoo! User  •  3 mths ago
      It used to be radio. Then it used to be the TV. Now it is the web browser (either on the computer or on the cell phone) with all sorts of "fun" stuff, with the user in the driver's seat. People always need distractions.
    • Brooks S  •  Compton, California  •  3 mths ago
      Wow what a bunch of clowns! How much do these people get paid?
    • Brooks S  •  ,  •  3 mths ago
      I bet who ever wrote this article is Black!
      • Al 3 mths ago
        There, there, now. Do you feel better now that you finally got that off of your chest? lol.
      • Brooks S 3 mths ago
        YES! I feel......emancipated. LMAO!
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