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Review — Hooked on the Net |
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by Andrew Careaga
Review by Tom Gilbert
Can you really become addicted to the Internet?
Hooked on the Net by Andrew Careaga
explores the subject of “Net
dependency” and addiction. As
someone who has deeply explored cyberspace
he’s qualified to lead a discussion.
Careaga’s pursuits include youth
ministry and writing (he’s authored
three books about the spiritual side
of the Internet culture -- see about
the author at his website).
Widespread use of the Internet,
and particularly the graphical interface
of the World Wide Web, is still a
relatively recent cultural phenomenon.
Therefore, the amount of significant
study of usage is not as extensive
as it is in other areas of traditional
addictions. The author offers his
opinions and observations and makes
some pertinent points.
Is it possible that those who are
addicts, or potential addicts, gravitate
to the Internet and its ready availability
of gaming, gambling, and pornography?
Does anyone become an addict as a
result of their use of the Internet?
How do we become responsible users
of this new medium?
These and other
questions are explored in this
book. Viewed through spiritual
lenses we can see that the Internet
is much like other media. There is
a great potential for both good and
abuse. If people don’t have
a foundation of faith then all of
the world’s pleasures and pursuits
can be traps that lead to obsessive
behavior with painful consequences.
The ability to log on to the Net from
the privacy of one's computer does
make the temptation to engage in
sinful behavior a greater concern.
There are reports of people who would
normally never enter an adult bookstore
to buy pornography or avoid casinos
but view online smut and max their
credit cards at gambling websites.
Secret cyber sex chats and endless
role playing of online games – how
do God loving Christians fall prey
to these activities?
It’s not just obviously dangerous
pursuits like gambling, gaming and illicit
sex that we should be concerned
about. The ease of shopping on the
web, stock trading and the constant
downloading and swapping of music
files are all examined.
I found Careaga’s view of the Net as a giant marketplace
resembling an ancient bazaar to be important
to our appreciation of this new global gathering place. People of every
stripe and persuasion are thrust together, often incognito. The anonymity
of a web surfer can be either safe or salacious. Beware the high-tech huckster.
It appears that the feel-good chemicals in our brains are readily released
when engaging in many online activities. We’re all inclined to do what feels good, and the rush of dopamine
reinforces the behavior. But, “if it feels good then do it” can’t
be an excuse for compulsive Internet activity any more than for offline pursuits.
The lesson may be that we are always in danger of caving to temptation
and we must be vigilant and fortified, now more than ever. A wholesale condemnation
of the Internet is not the solution, but a greater awareness of its pitfalls
is vital. There needs to be ready access to the Gospel as a constant
counterpoint to the dark side of online content. Efforts to engage
others in spiritual dialog through websites, forums, e-zines and the
like are very effective.
The jury may still be out on Internet dependency as a true addiction. More
than ever we stand at the gate of information and sensory overload.
The author rightly concludes we need God’s grace to navigate this
sometimes slippery slope, indeed we need grace to deal with all of
life’s challenges.
This book ends with two helpful appendixes
of resources on compulsive Internet
use and for ministers. Regardless of
whether compulsive online usage
can be termed addictive we need to
be aware that there are dangers. If
we don’t discover a connection
to God and others outside
the virtual realm of the Internet
then we will inevitably remain blind
to our true purpose in life.
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Scripture
taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights
reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of
International Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks
of International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for the offering
of goods or services requires the prior written consent of International
Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible,
New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission
of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All rights
reserved. |
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