www.news.com.au

“Internet addiction appears to be a common disorder that merits inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,” Dr Block said in the journal.

Dr Block said all internet addictions had four common components: excessive use, withdrawal, tolerance and negative repercussions.

He said internet addicts developed a tolerance to a certain level of technology, making them want to upgrade software and hardware. Social isolation and fatigue were listed as examples of “negative repercussions” to internet addiction.

Dr Block said the number of people that could be deemed as having addictions was large.

Welcome to our brave new world — where everything is a disease and medical intervention is obviously mandated (And, of course, charged for…). You don’t need to accept the reality that ANY good thing can become a place to hide and take responsibility for dealing with your own broken heart, you just need treatment — in this case Shock Treatment — for a 12yr old.

Yes, the medical community has spoken. Your kid’s longing for the new MacBookAir isn’t simple technolust, it’s really a key demonstration of mental instability which is now helping us to plumb the dark and depraved depths of his compulsion driven insanity.

So, step right up and make sure you bring the power supply. All we need to do to cure this condition is to unplug one little cord from his new toy — so we can wire it into his brain.