According to the Grohol's model of Pathological Internet use, people that succumb to "Internet Addiction" are usually newcomers. This is because new users experience a new environment (virtuality) and immerse themselves fully into the internet. This virtual environment is so much larger than the real life. Users can explore into anything. Even cybersex in chatrooms!
New users usually get "Stuck" in the first stage, Enchantment (Obsession). New users must find a way to go to stage 2 which is disillusioning in chats, avoidance is present here when users start finding it dull. Stage 3 is a balance of online and reality. |
