Why Moms Are Addicted to the Internet
Skipping errands, losing time with the kids and avoiding "real life" are factors that add even more stress to those addicted to being online, snowballing the problem even further. You're probably not that kind of Internet addict, but there are ways to find out if you're headed down that road.
Examine your online relationships and compare them with your offline relationships. If you feel anxious when you can't log on, then your use might be a problem. Get help with the problem by keeping a log of what you do and for how long when you're on the computer and examine it regularly for patterns. Try to reduce time you spend in the "problem areas," whether they're Second Life, Facebook or message boards. Put up time limits and reward yourself for sticking to them. We could all learn a few lessons about computer use by following the rules we give our kids.