I am not an Internet addict. How do I know this? Ironically, I took an online test that told me so.

My score was 42 and here’s what the results said: “You are an average on-line user. You may surf the Web a bit too long at times, but you have control over your usage.”

I guess that 6-hour plus stint earlier this week that I spent on Lostipedia.com searching for clues/answers/useless crap into the wee hours of the morning wasn’t an Internet addiction just simply an addiction to a frustrating, riveting television show. Glad that’s been cleared up.

I also guess that the fact that I spend 10 hours or more a day at work using the Internet, or that the first thing I do each morning at 4:30 am I stumble bleary eyed to check my email and a few websites, or that I can’t go to bed without a quick scan of my RSS reader and email, or that I can barely remember the days of working without the Internet, don’t make me an addict. I also recently bought a Palm Treo 700 because I had to be able to check the Internet from anywhere at anytime. Perhaps, those things all add up to simply making me “a big fan” of the Internet.

Never mind that I’d rather give up the microwave, the dishwasher, the toaster, my hairdryer and my TiVo (reluctantly) than live without an Internet connection for several days - that doesn’t mean I have a problem.

But there are many people who do. According a study released earlier this week by the Stanford University School of Medicine, more than one in eight U.S adults may have signs of Internet addiction. In fact, 8 percent are so obsessed with going online that they often hide their surfing habits from their partners. Mine is very clear on my little online obsession.

The study says that signs of Internet addiction include compulsive checking of email and chat rooms, as well as frequently checking out Web pages. Internet addicts also have disregard for health or appearance, sleep deprivation and decreased physical activity and social interaction with others, as well as dry eyes, carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive motion injuries of hands and fingers.

Okay, here’s where I differ from the addicts. I manage to take a shower in each morning, dress myself in presentable clothes, make it to the office, and muddle through each day without any mangled or achy extremities, all while maintaining healthy relationships with family and many friends.

According to the study, there is even stereotype of an Internet addict: male, white, has a college education, in his 30’s and more than 30 hours per week on the computer for ‘non-essential’ use. I think that means video games and porn. Clearly non-essential can’t be referring to online shopping, which is among my favorite pastimes.

Other key findings included:

*68.9 percent of respondents were regular Internet users
*3.7 felt preoccupied by the Internet when offline
*14 percent found it hard to stay offline for several days at a time
*12.4 percent often stayed online longer than intended
*More than 12 percent said they saw a need to cut back on their Internet use
*8.7 percent tried to conceal “non-essential” Internet use from family, friends and employers
*8.2 percent said they use the Internet to escape problems or a bad mood
*5.9 percent felt their relationships suffered because of excessive Internet use

The study also went on to note that 5 percent to 10 percent of the population will likely experience Internet addiction in the near future.

There are lots of books on the subject as well. I searched on “internet addiction” at Amazon.com and got 318 hits.

Take an online test to see if you are an Internet addict. You can also read their blog, subscribe to their newsletter or download their podcast. Although, I’m unclear on how this level of online engagement is going to help anyone kick the habit. lisap@revenuetoday.com