What to Do if You Think You May Have an Internet Addiction
Internet addiction is a behavioral addiction in which a person becomes dependent on the Internet or other online devices as a maladaptive way of coping with life’s stresses.
Internet addiction has and is becoming widely recognised and acknowledged. So much so that in 2020, the World Health Organization formally recognised addiction to digital technology as a worldwide problem, where excessive online activity and Internet use lead to struggles with time management, sleep, energy, and attention.
Top 5 Things to Know About Internet Addiction
Internet addiction is not yet an officially recognised mental disorder. Researchers have formulated diagnostic criteria for Internet addiction, but it is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). However, Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is included as a condition for further study, and Internet addiction is developing as a specialist area.
At least three subtypes of Internet addiction have been identified: video game addiction, cybersex or online sex addiction, and online gambling addiction.
Increasingly, addiction to mobile devices, such as cellphones and smartphones, and addiction to social networking sites, such as Facebook, are being investigated. There may be overlaps between each of these subtypes. For example, online gambling involves online games, and online games may have elements of pornography.
Sexting, or sending sexually explicit texts, has landed many people in trouble. Some have been teens who have found themselves in hot water with child pornography charges if they are underage.
Treatment for Internet addiction is available, but only a few specialised Internet addiction services exist. However, a psychologist with knowledge of addiction treatment will probably be able to help.
Symptoms
As Internet addiction is not formally recognised as an addictive disorder, it may be difficult to get a diagnosis. However, several leading experts in the field of behavioral addiction have contributed to the current knowledge of symptoms of Internet addiction. All types of Internet addiction contain the following four components:
Excessive Use of the Internet
Despite the agreement that excessive Internet use is a key symptom, no one seems able to define exactly how much computer time counts as excessive. While guidelines suggest no more than two hours of screen time per day for youths under 18, there are no official recommendations for adults.6
Furthermore, two hours can be unrealistic for people who use computers for work or study. Some authors add the caveat “for non-essential use,” but for someone with Internet addiction, all computer use can feel essential.
Here are some questions from Internet addiction assessment instruments that will help you to evaluate how much is too much.
How Often Do You…
Stay online longer than you intended?
Hear other people in your life complain about how much time you spend online?
Say or think, “Just a few more minutes” when online?
Try and fail to cut down on how much time you spend online?
Hide how long you’ve been online?
If any of these situations are coming up on a daily basis, you may be addicted to the Internet.
Withdrawal
Although originally understood to be the basis of physical dependence on alcohol or drugs, withdrawal symptoms are now being recognised in behavioral addictions, including Internet addiction.
Common Internet withdrawal symptoms include anger, tension, and depression when Internet access is not available.7 These symptoms may be perceived as boredom, joylessness, moodiness, nervousness, and irritability when you can’t go on the computer.
Tolerance
Tolerance is another hallmark of alcohol and drug addiction and seems to be applicable to Internet addiction as well.7 This can be understood as wanting—and from the user’s point of view, needing—more and more computer-related stimulation. You might want ever-increasing amounts of time on the computer, so it gradually takes over everything you do. The quest for more is likely a predominant theme in your thought processes and planning.
Negative Repercussions
If Internet addiction caused no harm, there would be no problem. But when excessive computer use becomes addictive, something starts to suffer.
One negative effect of internet addiction is that you may not have any offline personal relationships, or the ones you do have may be neglected or suffer arguments over your Internet use.
Online affairs can develop quickly and easily, sometimes without the person even believing online infidelity is cheating on their partner.
You may see your grades and other achievements suffer from so much of your attention being devoted to Internet use.
You may also have little energy for anything other than computer use—people with Internet addiction are often exhausted from staying up too late on the computer and becoming sleep deprived.
Finances can also suffer, particularly if your addiction is for online gambling, online shopping, or cybersex.
Internet Addiction in Kids
Internet addiction is particularly concerning for kids and teens. Children lack the knowledge and awareness to properly manage their own computer use and have no idea about the potential harms that the Internet can open them up to. The majority of kids have access to a computer, and it has become commonplace for kids and teens to carry cellphones.
While this may reassure parents that they can have two-way contact with their child in an emergency, there are very real risks that this constant access to the Internet can expose them to.
Children have become increasingly accustomed to lengthy periods of time connected to the Internet, disconnecting them from the surrounding world.
Children who own a computer and have privileged online access have an increased risk of involvement in cyberbullying, both as a victim and as a perpetrator.
Children who engage in problematic internet use are more likely to use their cellphone for cybersex, particularly through sexting, or access apps which could potentially increase the risk of sex addiction and online sexual harms, such as Tinder.
In addition, kids who play games online often face peer pressure to play for extended periods of time in order to support the group they are playing with or to keep their skills sharp. This lack of boundaries can make kids vulnerable to developing video game addiction.This can also be disruptive to the development of healthy social relationships and can lead to isolation and victimisation.
What to Do If You Have an Internet Addiction
If you recognise the symptoms of Internet addiction in yourself or someone in your care, talk to your doctor about getting help. As well as being able to provide referrals to Internet addiction clinics, psychologists, and other therapists, your doctor can prescribe medications or therapy to treat an underlying problem if you have one, such as depression or social anxiety disorder.
Internet addiction can also overlap with other behavioral addictions, such as work addiction, television addiction, and smartphone addiction.
Internet addiction can have devastating effects on individuals, families, and particularly growing children and teens. Getting help may be challenging but can make a huge difference in your quality of life.
What to Do if You Think You May Have an Internet Addiction
Internet addiction is a type of behavioural addiction in which a person becomes addicted to the Internet or other online devices as a maladaptive way of dealing with life’s stresses.
Internet addiction has been and continues to be widely recognised and acknowledged. So much so that the World Health Organisation (WHO) formally recognised digital technology addiction as a global problem in 2020, where excessive online activity and Internet use lead to difficulties with time management, sleep, energy, and attention.
Facts About Internet Addiction
Internet addiction is not yet a recognised mental illness. Although researchers have developed diagnostic criteria for Internet addiction, they are not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). However, Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is being studied further, and Internet addiction is becoming a speciality area.
There are at least three types of Internet addiction: video game addiction, cybersex (or online sex addiction), and online gambling addiction.
Addiction to mobile devices, such as cellphones and smartphones, and social networking sites, such as Facebook and Instagram, is increasingly being studied. There may be some overlap between these subtypes. Online gambling, for example, involves online games, and online games may contain pornographic elements.
Many people have been arrested for sexting or sending sexually explicit texts. Some have been teenagers who have gotten themselves into trouble with child pornography charges because they are underage.
Although treatment for Internet addiction is available, there are only a few specialised Internet addiction services. However, a psychologist who is familiar with addiction treatment will most likely be able to assist.
Symptoms
Because Internet addiction is not formally recognised as an addictive disorder, getting a diagnosis may be difficult. Several leading experts in the field of behavioural addiction, however, have contributed to the current understanding of Internet addiction symptoms.
What is Excessive Internet Usage
Even though everyone agrees that excessive Internet use is a major symptom, no one can define how much computer time is excessive. While guidelines recommend up to two hours of screen time per day for children under the age of 18, there are no official guidelines for adults.
Furthermore, two hours may be unrealistic for people who use computers for work or study. Some authors add the qualifier “for non-essential use,” but for someone who is addicted to the Internet, all computer use can feel essential.
Here are some questions from Internet addiction assessment tools to help you determine how much is too much.
Ask yourself, how frequently do you:
- Stay online for longer than you intended
- Have you ever heard someone complain about how much time you spend online?
- When you’re online, do you ever think, “Just a few more minutes”?
- Try but fail to reduce the amount of time you spend online
If you find yourself in any of these situations on a daily basis, you may be addicted to the Internet.
Withdrawal
Although withdrawal symptoms are usually associated with physical dependence on alcohol or drugs, they are now recognised in behavioural addictions such as Internet addiction.
When there is no Internet access, typical withdrawal symptoms include rage, tension, and depression. When you cannot use the computer, you may experience boredom, joylessness, moodiness, nervousness, and irritability.
Tolerance
Tolerance is another feature of alcohol and drug addiction that applies to Internet addiction as well. This can be interpreted as a desire for—and, from the user’s perspective, a requirement for—increasing computer-related stimulation. You might want to spend more and more time on the computer so that it gradually takes over everything you do. The desire for more is most likely a recurring theme in your thinking and planning.
Negative Consequences of Internet Addiction
There would be no issue if Internet addiction caused no harm. However, when excessive computer or smartphone use becomes addictive, there are negative consequences.
One negative effect of internet addiction is that you may have no offline personal relationships,neglect them or get into arguments because of your internet use.
Online affairs can develop quickly and easily, with the person not even realising they are cheating on their partner.
Your grades and other achievements may suffer due to devoting so much time to Internet use.
You may also have little energy for anything other than computer use—people addicted to the Internet are frequently exhausted from staying up late on the computer and becoming sleep-deprived.
Finances may suffer as well, especially if your addiction is to online gambling, online shopping, or cybersex.
Internet Addiction in Children
Internet addiction is hazardous for children and teenagers. Children lack the knowledge and awareness needed to manage their computer use properly and are unaware of the potential dangers to which the Internet can expose them. Most children have access to a computer, and cell phones are now common among children and teenagers.
While this may reassure parents that they can communicate with their children in an emergency, there are genuine risks that this constant Internet access can expose them to.
Children have grown accustomed to spending extended periods connected to the Internet, disconnecting them from their surroundings.
Children who own a computer and have privileged online access are more likely to be victims or perpetrators of cyberbullying.
Children who engage in problematic internet use are more likely to use their mobile for cybersex, particularly sexting, or use apps such as Tinder, which may increase the risk of sex addiction and online sexual harm.
Furthermore, children who play online games frequently face peer pressure to play for extended periods to support the group they are playing with or keep their skills sharp. This lack of boundaries can put children at risk of developing a video game addiction. This can also interfere with the development of healthy social relationships, leading to isolation and victimisation.
What to Do If You Are Addicted to the Internet
If you notice signs of Internet addiction in yourself or someone in your care, speak to an addiction therapist about getting help. Psychologists and other therapists may prescribe medications or therapy to treat an underlying problem, such as depression, ADHD, or social anxiety disorder.
Individuals, families, and especially growing children and teenagers can suffer from internet addiction. Getting help from a therapist will significantly improve your quality of life.
If you or your loved one is having addiction-related issues, click www.hopetrustindia.com for an online appointment with a therapist.