Turn on, tune in, drop out

Sunday 27 January 2002

Television addicts have the same symptoms as alcoholics or drug addicts, according to a study.

The research, by US scientists, says television addiction is a real affliction which works in the same way as habit-forming drugs.

Professors Robert Kubey and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi argue in The Scientific American that watching television is like gambling in the way people become addicted.

The researchers produced a six-point list for identifying addiction.

Spending a great deal of time using the substance.

Using it more often than intended.

Thinking about reducing use.

Making repeated unsuccessful efforts to reduce use.

Giving up important social, family or occupational activities to use it.

Reporting withdrawal symptoms when one stops using it.

The scientists argued: “All these criteria can apply to people who watch a lot of television.”

– PA