【精英翻譯】的部落格

A Modern Problem: Internet Addiction

現代人的「癮」憂

精英翻譯社轉自https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0062/354123/web/

The entire internet can fit in a human hand, and some people just can’t put it down.

整個網路世界都能握之在手，而有些人更是對它愛不釋手。

People really love their mobile phones. A smartphone is basically the whole internet in a pocket-sized device. It is a tool for communication and a source of entertainment. Most people are able to put their phones away when they are finished. But some people feel the constant need to be on their phone, scrolling through social media, surfing the web, or playing mobile games. This is internet addiction.

人們真的很愛他們的手機。一臺智慧型手機基本上就是一個能將整個網路世界納入其中、口袋般大小的裝置。它是通訊工具也是娛樂來源。多數人用完手機後都能把它擱在一旁。但有些人卻時時刻刻都覺得有必要用手機、滑社群媒體、瀏覽網頁或是玩手遊。這就是網路成癮症。

Internet addiction is a real and growing problem. Like addiction to other unhealthy behavior, internet addiction has real physical and psychological dangers. Addicts who are not able to access the internet might feel anxious or depressed. However, with access, the addict may ignore important events or responsibilities. Despite the internet’s ability to connect people, addicts might start to feel lonely or isolated.

網路成癮症是個真實且日益嚴重的問題。如同其他有害健康行為的成癮症一般，網路成癮症對身體還有精神上都有實質危險。無法存取網路的成癮者有可能會感到焦慮或抑鬱。但是若能上網的話，成癮者卻又可能忽略重要事件或責任。儘管網路能連結人群，但成癮者也許會逐漸感到寂寞或孤立。

Given how new internet addiction is, doctors are still trying to understand the problem and how to help. Right now, people are trying therapy and other traditional methods to overcome the addiction. Meanwhile, one small town in America offers a potential (but extreme) solution: a complete cellphone and Wi-Fi ban.

有鑑於網路成癮症是個新興議題，醫師仍試著了解這個問題及如何提供協助。人們現在正嘗試一些療法及其他傳統方式來克服這種成癮症。但在此同時，某座美國小鎮也提供了一種可能（卻極端）的解決之道：全面禁止手機及無線網路。