To ask how to beat an Internet addiction?

[ihateminecraft]

I blame the invention of the smart phone! At least in the past I was restricted to when I could connect to a laptop/desktop.

These days I seem incapable of going more than half an hour without checking my FB news feed, various forums or just randomly googling the latest thought or idea that has entered my head.

Everyday tasks take me far longer than they should due to the constant interuptions. I find it hard to focus on TV programmes or reading matter and go to bed far too late as I can't put the damn phone down! I feel like I'm drowning in too much information!

I know I can't be the only one judging by the people I see constantly staring at their phones and the people who post to FB constantly.

I don’t want to quit fb etc but would love to know how I can manage it more efficiently.....

[Jw35]

Umm get off mumsnet? no seriously I doubt you're alone in this at all! I've struggled but I've managed to cut down a lot and limit myself to certain times of the day. I had a baby 8 months ago so at first it felt acceptable while feeding and having a sleeping baby on me! Now I only go online if she's asleep and the housework is done and nobody else needs me. My advice is to consider what's reasonable and put the phone down in between. In reality it's a total waste of your time but if you know this you can set limits. I like a good guilt free soak in the bath with my smartphone!

[Gingermakesmesick]

I know. I am the same with MN to be honest, DH hates it!

Going away somewhere with no phone signal whatsoever for a long weekend was life changing for me, seriously.

[MammaTJ]

The very definition of irony, asking on an internet forum how so get over and internet addiction.

I am sorry, I have no clue. I quite enjoy my addiction atm, so do not want to know either.

[AngelicaDelight]

DH is SO addicted. He will put his laptop down then immediately pick up his phone. He will be browsing his iPad while watching TV. It is ridiculous and not what I signed up for. Any tips how to get him off them?!?!

[Flossyfloof]

You have to want you. The other day I settled on the settee, iPad on my lap, phone next to me. Scary. I don't Facebook but I find plenty of other internet rubbish to occupy my time, believe me.
I think half an hour's access morning and afternoon is the way to go.

[wickedwaterwitch]

Lololol at the definition of irony, it so is!

I'm definitely not addicted and I think I probably have been at various points over the past 15-20 years.

The difference has been (this sounds so obvious it's stupid, sorry) engaging (more) with real life. So things like spending a lot more time with friends and family. Reading more, just doing other things that don't involve social media of any kind.

Facebook and Mumsnet and other internet sites are nice sidelines for me when I have spare time, I could easily live without them. Maybe it helps also that my children are older and so I don't need advice as much as I once did?

[sliceofsoup]

When I read the title I thought "but what else is there to do" and then realised I too have this problem. :o

Its not all bad. I took DCs to the park earlier, and I read their books uninterrupted all the time. But I spend a lot of time on my laptop. My phone is crap so I don't spend much time on it.

I was far far worse when I was depressed.

So what do people who aren't addicted to the internet do??

[BrandNewAndImproved]

I'm the same op when I have nothing to do. When life is busy I tend to not to be online very often. These summer holidays I've wasted hours and hours of my life online.

[ihateminecraft]

Oh yes, the irony! Now I keep checking for replies, but hopefully it'll be worth it long term!

Funnily enough, I do have a full and busy life offline, go out a lot, holidays - wonderful check in opportunities though!

[GlitzAndGigglesx]

I deleted my fb account nearly 2 years ago. Best thing I ever did. Then I got hooked on mumsnet . Maybe try putting your technology down until a certain time and only use it to answer calls

[MadeMan]

"So things like spending a lot more time with friends and family."

This might be the very reason why so many people escape to the internet. In the old days you'd run away and join the circus to escape, but they've stopped a lot of circuses nowadays because the elephants don't like them; so you join Facebook instead.

[googoodolly]

I think you're asking in the wrong place, OP!

[WhataRacquet]

I never use my phone to go on-line and I'm not on Facebook or Twitter but I still spend a lot of time on IPad. Don't read books as much as I used to and only half watch TV. it definitely affects attention span.