You could say Akeem Shirley likes the Internet, but that would be an understatement.
"I couldn't probably last an hour without the Internet," said Shirley.
Akeem started using the web when he was ten years old. Since then, he's been hooked. Now a Siena College computer science major, he spends all day and night online, whether on social networking sites, chatting or gaming.
Whether you're on your home computer checking your e-mail, at your favorite coffee shop, updating your status on your lap top or on your phone, checking a score. It's getting much harder to escape Internet emersion.
Asked if he is addicted to the Internet, Shirley responded, "Yes."
But saying you're addicted and actually being addicted are two very different things. Dr. Edelgard Wulfert, an expert on addictions at UAlbany says it is a concern when constant use begins to affect social behavior.
"If the person uses the Internet excessively at the expense of real social interaction, I would definitely see a real problem in that," said Dr. Wulfert.
In fact, neglecting friends and family could be just the start. Being dishonest, avoiding school or work and a change in sleep patterns could be serious warning signs of an addiction.
Internet addiction has become such a problem for some, rehab is the only option. A new retreat style camp outside Seattle teaches people to break away from technology and reconnect to the real world.
Dr. Wulfert says like an addiction to drugs or alcohol, compulsive Internet use could be masking something else.
"Is the person socially anxious, so the anonymity of the Internet is a comfort or is the person depressed," said Dr. Wulfert.
Those are things UAlbany doctoral student Joseph DeLeo hopes to find out.
"There are certain similarities with some of the other behavioral addictions," said DeLeo.
He is researching the effects of Internet use on college students. Deleo is beginning his research with survey questions for students. Questions like what web sites they visit and how long they spend on them. One thing DeLeo is keying in on: social networking sites.
DeLeo said, "I'm not sure what ultimately motivates to prefer indirect communication, if that's anxiety we have or lack of time, if it's the adoption of certain stressors or pressures that we have difficulty managing."
And that's what DeLeo hopes to find out. As for solutions, experts recommend that parents encourage their children to socialize and participate in activites. Students we spoke with, say they're aware of the risks.
"I don't use it to that point where it prevents me from doing something that I should be doing," said Siena senior Alan DiStasio.
"I definitely use it way too much, I should probably do some other things, go out to a movie or something," said Akeem Shirley.
Not a bad idea because in the end, you can't avoid the internet anymore but you can avoid getting tangled in the web.
