Internet Addiction

Studies on Internet addiction originated in the US in 1996. More recently, studies have documented Internet addiction in a growing number of countries such as Italy, Pakistan, and Czech Republic. Reports also indicate that Internet addiction has become a serious public health concern in China, Korea, and Taiwan. About 10 percent of China's more than 30 million Internet gamers were said to be addicted. To battle what has been called an epidemic by some reports, Chinese authorities regularly shut down Internet cafes, many illegally operated, in crackdowns that also include huge fines for their operators. The Chinese Government has also instituted laws to shut down the number of hours adolescents can play online games and opened the first inpatient treatment center for Internet addiction in Beijing ion 2006. It is difficult to estimate how widespread the problem is. A nationwide study conducted by a team from Stanford University’s School of Medicine had estimated that nearly one in eight Americans suffer from exhibited at least one possible sign of problematic Internet use.

• Psychological Issues & Internet Addiction
• Identifying and Diagnosing Internet Addiction
• Reference

Psychological Issues & Internet Addiction

While time is not a direct function in diagnosing Internet addiction, early studies suggested that those classified as dependent or addicted online users were generally excessive about their online usage, spending anywhere from forty to eighty hours per week, with sessions that could last up to twenty hours. Sleep patterns were disrupted due to late night log-ins and those addicted generally stayed up surfing until late in the morning with the reality of having to wake up early for work or school. In extreme cases, caffeine pills are used to facilitate longer Internet sessions. Such sleep deprivation caused excessive fatigue impairing academic or occupational performance that also increased the risk of poor diet and exercise. 

Identifying and Diagnosing Internet Addiction

Clinicians have likened Internet addiction to addictive syndromes similar to impulse-control disorders on the Axis I Scale in the DSM and utilized various forms of DSM-IV based criteria to define Internet addiction. Of the all the references in the DSM, Pathological Gambling was viewed as most akin to this phenomenon. The Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire (IADQ) was developed as an initial screening instrument utilized for diagnosis (Young, 1998). Associated features also included ordinarily excessive Internet use, neglect of routine duties or life responsibilities, social isolation, and being secretive about online activities or a sudden demand for privacy when online. While the IADQ provides a means to conceptualize pathological or addictive use of the Internet, these warning signs can often be masked by cultural norms that encourage and reinforce online use. Even if a client meets all the criteria, signs of abuse can be rationalized as, “I need this for my job” or “It’s just a machine” when in reality the Internet is causing significant problems in a user’s life.

~Content Provided by Dr. Kimberly Young, www.netaddiction.com

Reference:

Young, K. S. (1998) Internet addiction: The emergence of a new clinical disorder. CyberPsychology and Behavior 1: 237-244.