The internet does not help a shopping addiction. It makes it even easier to go over board on your purchasing. I do have a tendency to purchase less online than I would at the store because a lot of times I buy because I see and need. It is harder for me to get a wanted visual when the item is online.

For normal shoppers with no addictive tendencies, I don't think the Internet is a harmful tool for shopping.  If used in moderation, it can actually be a convenient and sometimes cheaper alternative to going to a mall and shopping there.

For addicts, though...I think online shopping is the equivalent of putting an alcoholic in a liquor store and giving him/her free reign.  So in that case, it's a harmful thing because it's very easy to buy stuff (just point and click with a mouse, and bam, you're done!).