Saudi Gazette Can you imagine a day without checking your e-mails or looking for updates on your favorite social networking sites? It's a well known fact that smoking is an addictive habit, but did you know that quitting the Internet maybe equally or more difficult than quitting smoking? A recent study conducted in Jeddah and Riyadh by a group of young researchers asked participants to live without the Internet for a day. It found that 85 percent residents felt they were cut off from the world without Internet access and found it impossible to quit the net. Some also experienced depression, irritation and loneliness when they were asked to stay away from the Internet, which are worse than the withdrawal symptoms experienced by a person who would quit smoking. “I can't imagine living without the Internet; it's just like living without oxygen or water!,” said 17-year old Fazeelah Farzan, a high school student, who was also a participant in the survey. She added that for all her friends and classmates, checking e-mails and Facebook updates are a part of daily routine and they can't even think of staying away from the internet. The purpose of the study was to get a glimpse into how technology is affecting lifestyle . Several participants reported feelings of absolute boredom without Internet access. They reported a lack of desire to do anything, and a surprising number reported that they were reduced to cleaning, doing laundry or just staring at the wall if deprived of Internet access. The survey listed Google, Youtube and Facebook as the most popular websites in the Kingdom. “Sometimes I wonder what I used to do before Mark Zuckerberg invented Facebook,” said a young Saudi businessman. He added that he carries out all marketing activities for his business through this popular social networking tool and his business has grown by leaps and bounds due to the effective marketing techniques. “When I lost my Internet connection for a day, I felt so disconnected that I rushed to an Internet cafe,” he added. Faisal Abdullah, a young Saudi who is addicted to smoking and was interviewed during the survey, stated that he would rather quit smoking than quit using the Internet. “I love my phone more than cigarettes because it keeps me connected to the Internet around the clock and also keeps me updated with the latest happenings. I can quit smoking, but there is no way I can quit the Internet,” he said. Some 95 percent students described the Internet as a ‘necessity.' “Google always saves my life,” said Lubna Qurashi, a 17-year-old student who carries out all her research work on the Internet. According to the survey, 60 percent residents spend an average of more than five hours a day on the Internet, and this is becoming a source of concern for many parents. “My 15-year-old son is an Internet addict and spends all his time on Facebook,” complained a concerned mother. She said that the excessive use of Internet was negatively affecting his studies and social life. __
