Addicted to the Net? Symptoms of Internet addiction

In this section, you will hear a short passage. For questions 21 -30, complete the notes using three words or fewer for each blank. The passage will be read twice. Remember to write the answers on the answer sheet.
    Internet users who spend as much as 30 hours a week or more surfing the Web may endanger personal relationships, jobs, and their finances.
    Symptoms of Internet addiction include a constant desire to get online, a need to use the Internet for longer periods of time in order to find satisfaction, and feelings of restlessness or irritability when not online. Other symptoms include using the Internet to escape problems, lying to family or friends about time spent on the Internet, and continuing to use the Internet even after problems develop in relationships, work, or school as a result of such use. A person who suffers three or more of these symptoms over a 12-month period or more would be considered addicted.
    The first factor which may contribute to compulsive use of a product is accessibility. Now, those with access to the Internet have immediate, 24-hour access to virtual gaming sites, online trading sites that provide up-to-the-minute stock reports, and online auction houses where they can find any item imaginable. As the problems and limitations of real life are removed, some people begin to indulge more heavily in these activities for immediate gratification and to satisfy whims.
    Control is a second factor influencing compulsive behavior. Today, individuals have the ability to take control over their own investing. Such full personal control leads some people to develop an obsession with monitoring and adjusting their investments.     A third important factor is excitement. Excitement represents the emotional "rush" or "high" associated with winning. In gambling, the rush of winning becomes a great reinforcement to continue playing. In auction sites, obtaining an item by beating other bidders seconds before the bid closes can be intoxicating. With any compulsive activity, the excitement surrounding the activity becomes a powerful hook encouraging future behavior.
    In the future, some believe things will only get worse as virtual reality and wireless access make the Net more accessible.