On October 6^th 2010, the Public Relations Department at the University organized a lecture titled "Internet Addiction" at the Conferences Hall at the Old Campus Library. The lecture was delivered by Professor Jawad Fatayer, University President Assistant for Graduate Affairs, who spoke mainly about the role that computer and computer games addiction plays in influencing the building of one's personality, and its role in developing aggressive tendencies among youth, as well as racism and bias towards the designers and producers of such games in a way that contradicts with local traditions and culture.

 

 

The lecture attracted many participants, from university students to administrative and academic staff who showed interest in the lecture's topic. At the beginning of the lecture, Professor Fatayer defined internet addiction as being a human phenomenon that is psychologically connected to human beings. It is a state of losing mental balance and is a pathological relationship that transforms into a state from which there is no turning back and which is very difficult to abandon.

 

Professor Fatayer also explained the so many advantages of computer and video games adding that such technology has contributed to the facilitation of science and development today, however, he did not forget to highlight the major problems that addiction of such technology might bring upon people. The word "Addiction" itself carries a negative meaning and can not be thought of as being positive whatsoever.

 

Explaining more on this topic, Professor Fatayer listed the most observable symptoms of internet addiction. A person who is an internet addict will show over-attachment to his/her computer or video games so much so that he/she will feel confused and uneasy if his/her computer is taken away from him/her. Another symptom is the fact that time passes very quickly when a person uses the computer and might spend long hours on his PC unaware of the amount of time that is being wasted. Also, computer addiction makes a person so reliant on his computer that his memory and thinking abilities become weak. A fourth symptom is insomnia which is a characteristic of computer addicts.

  

 

Professor Fatayer also spoke about computer games for children explaining that such games can have negative effects on little children. Children who spend long hours playing on the computer might develop obesity, not to mention that such addiction limits their movement and social interaction with others.

 

The responsibility lies upon family and school to try to raise awareness among youngsters and children regarding such issue. Technology has become an integral part of the modern world of today and is indispensable; however, such dependence on technology must be regulated as to take the best out of it without negatively affecting the human life.

 

Professor Fatayer holds a PhD degree in Therapeutic Sociology from the University of North Texas in the United States. He is member of the International Board of Therapeutic Sociology and an international expert in human development and humanities. He has worked at different American universities as well as the American University in Cairo over the last three decades. He is currently the University President Assistant for Graduate Affairs at An-Najah National University.