When was the last time you went a week without logging on to the internet? If thinking back is sending you into a cold sweat at the memory of being disconnected for more than two consecutive days, then you are not alone. According to Reuters, nearly half of Britons suffer from what is now termed “discomgoogolation”, meaning they start to feel stressed when they are unable to go online. 
Psychologist Dr. David Lewis identified discomgoogolation by measuring heart rates and brainwave activity. “The proliferation of broadband has meant for the first time in history we’ve entered a culture of ‘instant answers,’” he said. “When unable to get online, discomgoogolation takes over.”
The survey conducted by YouGov, found 76 per cent of Britons could not live without the Internet, with over half of us admitting to being online between one and four hours a day and 19 per cent of people spending more time online than with their family in a week.
I confess that I am one of the many who really, really, really likes being connected to the internet. Is this something we should try to ween off? Or is there no harm in the constant access to information that we now take for granted?
Source: Reuters via Jason Langridge
I think you only have a problem if you spend more time IM’ing your partner than actually speaking to them!
I’m afraid I’m in the 76% bracket. Once when I was moving house I didn’t have internet for a whole three days and it was the worse time ever!
I know it’s really sad but you only realise how much it means to you when you’re without it!
Of course I’m one of the people who suffers when away from the Internet but it’s practically a necessity these days. Raised in an ‘Internet Always’ era, who would’ve asked our grandparents to go without the radio for a week? Their newspapers for a month? It’s our source for the news and while mini-heart attacks might be a sad sign, it’s still relatively understandable.