Chat addiction has become an acute social problem in recent times.
It is becoming common as more and more people are getting engaged in chatting activities. The long hours spent in chat rooms has led to the emergence of the concept called chat addiction.
Chat addiction is becoming a chronic problem mainly among the younger generations who get attracted to the chat room activities.
Some of the negative impacts of chat room addiction are –
- Negative impact on social relationships.
- Harmful affects on marriages.
- Work performance is getting hampered.
- School achievements are getting affected.
- Bad impact on health.
There are several symptoms which help to understand whether a person is facing the chronic problem of chat addiction. The various symptoms are –
- Person may feel preoccupied with chat room activities.
- The person may make consecutive unsuccessful attempts to cut down on the chat room activities.
- Feeling the need to increase the amount of time spent for chatting.
- Remaining online longer than intended.
- Developing a habit of lying to family members, or therapist relating to the amount of time spent for chatting.
- Using chatting as a means to escape problems.
The main reason behind chat addiction is that people now have 24 hours access to the internet and as internet provides a scope for increasing the social network, it appeals to many people. The chat room activities appeal to the people as it overcomes geographical boundaries and provides scope for communication.
