BCI and internet addiction - problem or myth?

[Atellus]

I discussed the idea of a brain computer interface with my 17 year old sister. At first, she seemed enamoured of the idea and could see many benefits. With further thought, she then became squeamish about the surgery that would be necessary for a true nervous system interface to function, and about the possibilities of a networked device attached to her body being hacked or otherwise having security liabilities.

 

Then she decided that after all, it would be a very bad idea to have this kind of constant, easy access to something like the internet, or even the contents of her own hard drive, such as games and so on. She said that she herself had wasted many long hours in front of the monitor and had often been astonished at the way her sense of time was impaired whilst browsing or gaming. She had made the decision, especially in the light of her increased study load, to cut back on browsing for pleasure, but knows many of her contemporaries who have not. She can name many people who spend many more hours a day online or gaming than they spend sleeping, eating, defecating or studying. She particularly highlighted role playing games as a serious cause for concern as most are not turn based, leading to the gamers attempting to be in constant attendance of their "characters" in the game, often to the exclusion of other priorities.

 

She also noted, in addition to her teenage friends, younger children of between 6 and 12 years old (often siblings of her friends) who had similar habits and were extremely unpleasant children to be around, especially if they couldn't get their daily "fix" of gaming and browsing.

 

Does internet addiction really exist?

 

Clearly some of these individuals have an unhealthy preoccupation with computing in one form or another, but would that be accurately defined as an addiction?

 

This sort of behaviour; which one can witness among many differing individuals, not just teenagers, certainly results in a high degree of social exclusion if nothing else.

 

Given these concerns, would we really want to pursue the development of brain computer interfaces designed specifically to enable widespread wireless access without the need for mechanically operated peripherals and data display devices?

 

Are these concerns realistic?

[ecoli]

Yes, internet addiction does exist. It's akin to video game and TV addiction, IMO. Of course, none of this would be a problem if kids were still allowed to work in sweat shops. They've got to much time on their hands.

[bascule]

I discussed the idea of a brain computer interface with my 17 year old sister. At first, she seemed enamoured of the idea and could see many benefits. With further thought, she then became squeamish about the surgery that would be necessary for a true nervous system interface to function, and about the possibilities of a networked device attached to her body being hacked or otherwise having security liabilities.

 

It may not come down to surgery. Active devices which don't require being in direct contact with the brain may be developed.

 

She also noted, in addition to her teenage friends, younger children of between 6 and 12 years old (often siblings of her friends) who had similar habits and were extremely unpleasant children to be around, especially if they couldn't get their daily "fix" of gaming and browsing.

 

Does internet addiction really exist?

 

Yes, but I don't think it's a problem, just the natural outgrowth of the human condition.

 

Clearly some of these individuals have an unhealthy preoccupation with computing in one form or another, but would that be accurately defined as an addiction?

 

This sort of behaviour; which one can witness among many differing individuals, not just teenagers, certainly results in a high degree of social exclusion if nothing else.

 

Given these concerns, would we really want to pursue the development of brain computer interfaces designed specifically to enable widespread wireless access without the need for mechanically operated peripherals and data display devices?

 

Yes, absolutely