Fact Sheets > Internet Addiction

Internet Addiction

Internet addiction or Compulsive Internet Disorder, as it is commonly known, has been a controversial issue in recent years due to the widespread use of Internet. Many researchers were split into two groups:

(a) one who advocates that addictive use of this medium is a mental health problem, akin to compulsive gambling behaviour;
(b) the other who advocates that people who spend too much time on the Internet is akin to people who spend too much time watching television, hence it can hardly be diagnosed as a mental problem.

Of concern in this issue is that the Internet is not as benign as we might think. Some studies had found that usage of the Internet can alter the user’s mood or provide an escape for the user. Similarly, other studies had reported that users of Internet suffer from negative consequences such as social, psychological, and occupational impairment, due to their abuse of the Net.

It is difficult to define compulsive use of the Internet as an addictive disorder, there is no set of criteria of which diagnosis can be based upon. This problem is further compounded by the fact that researchers are also unsure if Internet itself is addictive or are addicts using the Internet. Moreover, the Internet offers direct benefits as a technological advancement in our society such as the ability to gain access to international libraries, conduct business transactions, or even to assist in planning an overseas vacation. Conversely, chemical and gambling addictions do not offer direct benefits for its routine usage. Even though there are no criteria to classify compulsive use of Internet in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV, its self-destructive effects on a user is so powerful that treatment centers have even initiated Computer/Internet Addiction Recovery Services.

When is excessive use of Internet pathological?

1. Usage of Internet resulted in academic failure
2. Usage of Internet resulted in reduced work performance
3. Usage of Internet resulted in marital discord and even separation
4. Usage of Internet resulted in detached or disturbed social relationships

In addition, researcher Kimberly Young had used Pathological Gambling as a model and developed a brief eight-item questionnaire which modified criteria for pathological gambling to provide a screening instrument for addictive Internet use. If you answered “yes” to five or more of the following criteria, you are likely to be considered an Internet addict.

1. Do you feel preoccupied with the Internet (think about previous online activity or anticipate next on-line session)?
2. Do you feel the need to use the Internet with increasing amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction?
3. Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop Internet use?
4. Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet use?
5. Do you stay on-line longer than originally intended?
6. Have you jeopardised or risked the loss of significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of the Internet?
7. Have you lied to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet?
8. Do you use the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)?

Common possible causes of compulsive usage of Internet

• A study by the University of Cincinnati found that problematic computer users tend to be easily fascinated by interactive pursuits- frequenting chat rooms, writing e-mail, surfing the Web, and playing games. In addition, the study also found that these pursuits serve as a haven for workers from procrastination, boredom and feelings of isolation at work, that is, it offers an attractive outlet to their daily grind similar to that offers by a drug rush.

• Addiction to Internet is similar to the psycho-biological process of any addictions. This and other addictive behaviours involve an elevation of the brain chemical, Serotonin, which we experience as a temporary sense of exhilaration. Although this process is short-lived, it is extremely intensive, pleasurable, and habit forming. Many people developed an addiction because normal life seems dull and boring (unpleasant feelings) and seek the excitement of the addiction “hit”.

• Denial played an important role in an addict’s engagement in addiction pattern. Denial is a person’s psychological defense mechanism that enables a person to persist in engaging in a particular behaviour despite obvious negative consequences. Addicts may deny they no longer have control over their addictive behaviour until the consequences become so overwhelming that they no longer can ignore the problems.

• A hypothesis purported by Grohol (1999) suggested that behaviours are phasic. That is, most people “addicted to Internet” are likely to be new users of the Internet. They are going through the first stage of adjusting themselves to a new environment by immersing themselves into this new and fascinating activity. Those who are successful will proceed to the second stage where they get “sick” of this activity and avoid the activity. This is then followed by stage three where those who are successful at stages one and two will resume to a balanced usage. However, there are some who get “stuck” at stage one and failed to resume to a balanced usage level. Even existing online users who had successfully proceed to stage three may return to stage one when they find a new online activity such as a new site for chat room.

• Personality traits of those who were considered compulsive users of Internet were studied. It was found that these users tend to be people who lead self-reliant, solitary and socially inactive life. The autonomous communication format allows them to feel a sense of connectness with others without being there physically. Hence fulfilling their unmet real life social needs.

Some negative consequences

Excessive fatigue caused by late nights in the interactive chat rooms at home coupled with extra hours to keep up with work.
Reduced work performance either qualitatively or quantitatively. Despite extra hours to make up for time spent on the Internet, employees may still fail to meet deadlines or get the job done right, and students may become academic underachievers.
Loss of significant relationships such as marital separation or relationship break-offs through social isolation.
Marital discords due to cyber infidelity or lack of communications.
Disrupted patterns of lifestyle.
+Financial crises caused by online shopping sprees.

Like any activities or dietary supplements, usage of the Internet should be discreet. When used in moderation, it is beneficial, however, when used excessively, to the extent that it disrupted a healthy lifestyle and destroy your life, then such usage has become destructive and help to stop this activity should be sought. Compulsive use of the Internet has been viewed by some mental professionals as a distraction from other problems in the users’ lives. Hence, psychotherapy treatment may be beneficial.