The Artificial Dichotomy - Internet Addiction

"The Artificial Dichotomy" 

My first ever watercolour painting, based on my short film of the same name about internet addiction.

"The Artificial Dichotomy" is the story of a young adult whose circumstances in life causes him to seek refuge in the virtual world of the internet, which then eventually leads to his imprisonment in a world of delusion and false comfort that is subsequently overtaken by a harsh reality.
i.e. Fancy way of saying, a story about internet addiction, and how it affected himself, and his personal relationships.

The short deals with the 3 main characteristics of Internet Addiction Disorder, recognized as a mental disease by the American Psychological Association.

In short;
1. Cyber-relationship Addiction: when teens struggle with identity formation and self-worth, and as a result move from a 'realistic' social world to a 'virtual' social world, where they find it more comforting and easier to maintain. This causes the Online Disinhibition Effect, where the fake identities maintained online takes preference, and results in Social Isolation and Social Disengagement.

2. Net Compulsions; the feeling that there is a need to stay online, even when there is no need to.. This results in Impulse Control Disorder, and desensitisation from social relationships.

3. Cybersex Pornography Addiction; causes desensitisation to real-life relationships which can eventually lead to lower levels of self-esteem, distorted perception of social reality, objectification of women and men, and 'rape-myth acceptance'.