Your “online” friends are all you talk about. This is another big clue that your online life is becoming way too “real” for you. While many of us do meet great people online, they shouldn’t always be the subject of our discussions. Don’t take real life for granted, or you may find yourself without real friends and family.
Your online relationships are more intimate than your real ones. If you are engaging in sexual situations with online lovers while you have a spouse or mate that you share your life with, then you are cheating. Many people try to justify having sexual relationships online, saying that it isn’t real since you aren’t touching anyone; but it is very real, and a lot of the time, the cause for a divorce or nasty break up. If this is something you are doing behind someone else’s back, you are a liar and a cheater, and you better come clean or stop the behavior before it’s too late.
You are meeting your “virtual” friends without back up. Again, many great friends met online – but you never know who you are meeting until you are face to face. Frequently meeting online friends that you know nothing about is a very dangerous thing to do – you could easily put yourself into a very scary, or even deadly, position. It’s best not to do it at all, but if you do, be careful.
It may be hard to admit that your online behavior is unhealthy, but it is important to do it now than be sorry later. Come clean, forgive yourself and be sure to prevent yourself from falling into these same patterns again by:
Removing IM software from your business computer.
Blocking e-community Web sites from your business computer.
Setting a timer for an hour or less when you sit down at the computer. When it rings, close down the computer.
Finding “real” world organizations and groups that you can participate in.
Preventing yourself from participating in online flirting – if someone flirts with you, immediately block them.
Keep weekly in-town family and friend dates to spend time away from home.
If you are still unable to participate in healthy online chatting, seek professional help. There are several counselors in your area that can help you deal with online abuse, and can provide you with all the resources you need to maintain a healthy online attitude.