The Internet is a social technology, but the effect it has on face to face relationships can potentially be very detrimental. Like any activity, the Internet takes up a person's time; the amount of time varies depending on the person's level of addiction. Often this time usage could be spent bettering face to face relationships.

It is not uncommon for an Internet user to begin to replace their face to face relationships with those formed on the Internet. By doing this they often negatively affect their lives. The Internet has become one of the most universal methods for communication with over 100 million users worldwide. From e-mail to the possibly billions of web pages, there is an infinite amount of information flowing. And another enticing aspect of the Internet is the opportunity to interact with other people. Chat Rooms and MUD (Multi-User Dimensional) games offer the person the ability to talk and mingle with others online.

But with this newfound freedom, also comes the possibility of abuse and addiction. It is also known in developed countries as internet addiction. Internet addiction, also known as Pathological Internet use, has emerged as a very destructive force in today's society. An estimated 6 percent of the web user's 100 million people are thought to be online addicts and that number is growing every day. But what causes Internet Addiction? There are many different causes, but one of the most essential, is thought to be a personality disorder.

The lone, bored, depress, introverted, lacking self-esteem, or have a history of addictions are most vulnerable. This group of people seems to be the most susceptible to all mental disorders, psychologically or physical. These people need to fill the void that has been created by not having any real life relationships, so they turn to the Internet, just as if someone would turn to drugs. More than 90 percent of addicts became addicted to two-way communications functions: chat rooms, MUDs (Multi- User Dungeons), news groups, and e-mail.

Pathological Internet Use or Internet Addiction is a type of impulse control disorder. Psychologists put it under this category because the effects of chemicals produced in the brain during Internet use haven't been properly documented. The addiction is similar to an obsessive compulsive disorder and is also often compared to alcoholism.

This clearly shows that internet addiction is not a thing to just laugh about or pass away as a ridiculous joke. It has to be combated worldwide. This can be done by making more friends in your active life or by hooking onto an active sport. Proper parental guidance and having a good friend circle are few ways of beating this new disorder. So come on-"let us leave the monitor screens and lead a more healthy life and make a healthy society.