Eric Jurgovan often puts his other responsibilities on the side and works on his computer to fill a daily need.

Entrapping Jurgovan, a junior in anthropology from Algonquion, he feels he can not leave his computer until his need is fulfilled. He spends two to five hours a day researching, e-mailing and chatting.

But Jurgovan is unaware that his activities may be considered addictive.

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Cyber Psychology and Behavior, a quarterly journal, published a recent article that stated college students between 18 and 22 are unusually vulnerable to Internet addiction.

The author of the article, defines Internet addiction as a psychological dependence on the Internet, regardless of they type of activity once logged on.’ I would not consider myself addicted to the Internet, Jurgovan said. But if you are cut off from the Internet, in a way you do feel some withdrawal.

Jurgovan is not alone with his need for the Internet, there are others like him across the nation.

Many colleges have reported high levels of Internet addiction among their students. Others have made a connection with extended Internet use and college dropouts and created Internet addiction support groups.

Thomas Thibeault, director of the New Media Center in the College of Liberal Arts, said there is no need for an Internet addiction support group at SIUC. He said there is not a problem on this campus, yet.

But, he does feel there is a good reason for why Internet addiction may be a problem on college campuses. Thibeault said a possibility of why college students are more susceptible to becoming addicted to the Internet is because of Ethernet.

Ethernet allows faster and more reliable access to the Internet, which makes it easier to get logged on because you do not have to dial into a host computer. College campuses have better access to the Internet because nearly all computer labs are Etherneted.

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Internet addiction is being talked about more and more everyday, but it is the same as any other addiction, said Thomas Schill, a psychology professor.

Schill said there are many other addictions that exist and a person can become addicted without even knowing it.

However, Thibeault said Internet use on college campuses coincides with the lifestyles of college students. It is important that students relieve stress outside of school work.

Students live very stressful lives. They may find it as a release or entertainment, he said.

It is easier to establish relationships over the Internet. It is easier than the stressful environment of college. With the Internet you can just get in your own little corner and start a relationship.

However, Schill said the Internet should not be the only place people interact with others. Students who are socially challenged should be more aware of the importance of person-to-person contact.

If a person is more plugged into the outside world and is more social, he said, they are less likely to get hooked on something like this.

Thibeault said the Internet is fulfilling for some people and provides another open door to the world.

The concept of addiction is no different than from any other addict, he said. It fills a need. The Internet has everything on there that you can ever imagine. It is readily available to the world, it keeps a balance same as a video game.

For now, Jurgovan will continue to search the Internet. It gives him a way to stay informed about the world, keep in touch with friends and play computer games with other people.

Using the Internet is easier to use here and more accessible then it was at home, he said. When I’m at home, it costs too much to use the Internet.