The relationship between humanity and technology is becoming increasingly complex and nuanced day by day, to the point that it can be considered one of the most important factors in social, cultural, and psychological change today.
Our lifestyles, behaviors, ways of feeling and thinking, and our individual choices are all profoundly influenced by it. It’s not always easy to recognize when internet addiction creeps into the common forms of daily internet use to which we’re all accustomed .
What is meant by internet addiction?
Table of Contents
What is Internet Addiction? In the mental health field , Internet addiction has been recognized as a modern form of addiction and also referred to as Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) .
It is a form of substance-free abuse-addiction (like oniomania , gambling and sex addiction ) where as time goes by the number of hours the person spends online increases more and more.
In some cases of internet addiction, the person may realize they can no longer stop or reduce their use. But what are the symptoms of internet addiction? Let’s look at them in detail.
Symptoms of Internet Addiction
The diagnosis of Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) is a matter of debate in the scientific community, and is not yet universally recognized as a distinct clinical condition .
Internet addiction is not listed as a disorder in either the DSM-5 or the ICD-11: therefore, there is no official definition of an internet addiction disorder. However, we can define some psychological and physical manifestations as symptomatic of internet addiction disorder:
- constant worry : constantly thinking about surfing the Internet when you are not online and anxiously looking forward to the moment when you will be able to access it
- Increase in time spent online : the time spent online gradually increases, with difficulty in reducing it despite efforts, and with a progressive loss of interest in offline activities
- forgetting other priorities : ignoring or neglecting personal, work, or academic responsibilities due to excessive internet use
- Social isolation : Internet addiction and social isolation, typical of Hikikomori syndrome , are two phenomena that lead the individual to progressively withdraw from their offline social life, preferring to interact online with other people.
Hikikomori syndrome and internet addiction affect a person’s relational and emotional sphere and are linked to a certain pathological use of the internet.
However, these are not the only elements that can represent a warning sign: pathological internet addiction can cause anxiety, depression , or marked irritability (especially when unable to access an internet connection).
The body also sends out certain signals: headaches, sleep disturbances or fatigue, and lack of concentration are some of the main physical symptoms that characterize internet addiction.
Unsuccessful attempts to reduce or control Internet use, followed by relapses into old behavior patterns, complete a picture for which psychological counseling may be useful.
The 5 Types of Internet Addiction
In this section, we delve deeper into digital addictions, attempting to distinguish them into five types . Here’s a brief overview of the five types of pathological internet addiction:
- Online Shopping Addiction : we have already mentioned compulsive shopping (oniomania) in this article, applied in this case to online environments.
- Internet Gaming Disorder : Internet addiction and video games are closely related, especially in relation to the many gaming platforms where you can also play online and share games.
- Cybersexual Addiction : we could somehow define it as sex addiction in version 2.0.
- Information Overload (cognitive overload) : this is an internet addiction disorder in which internet dependence overlaps with other clinical conditions such as cyberchondria , which leads the person to continuously search for news online, using up their time (“stolen” from other activities), to find them, compare them and validate their reliability.
- Cyber-Relational Addiction : this type of digital addiction leads the person to live their relationships increasingly on a virtual level, neglecting offline moments and relationships.
To these internet addiction disorders we can then add social media addiction ; in this case too, internet and social network addiction are closely related to the increasingly widespread habit of using social media as a source of information, exchange and knowledge, but also as a “public square” in which to express one’s moods and points of view.
We can talk about social media addiction when the use of these platforms is not just recreational, but escapes the control of the user who begins to use them compulsively.
The 3 stages of internet addiction
Internet addictions can usually develop through 3 main phases:
- engagement , where access to the network is stimulated by curiosity and pleasure
- abuse , in which the subject will immerse himself more and more in virtual reality to the detriment of normal daily activities
- addiction , in which one will observe a real escape from everyday reality and one’s own emotional discomfort .
Internet use will therefore become increasingly frequent and prolonged, associated with feelings of well-being when online and feelings of anguish and suffering when unable to connect.
The causes of internet addiction
Why does technology become an addiction? What can cause internet addiction? To investigate the causes of internet addiction, it’s important to consider that it’s a multifactorial problem . Various risk factors may be involved, such as:
- temperamental aspects (is he an introvert?)
- low self-esteem
- environmental factors (neglect by caregivers)
- neurobiological aspects: an imbalance in the reward circuit involving serotonin and dopamine has been hypothesized
- presence of other dependencies.
The Internet offers the illusory possibility of alleviating, and at the same time escaping, one’s own malaise .
Through the use of the Internet, the person achieves a change in the perception of themselves and their surroundings, which allows them to alter their ordinary state of consciousness, where discomfort and suffering cannot be regulated.
As in the case of people addicted to substances, in this case too we can observe a propensity towards the search for ever new emotional and sensorial stimuli , in an attempt to distance or mask those unbearable feelings of boredom, emptiness and loneliness .
In this scenario, internet use would be seen as an avoidance behavior through which the person seeks to escape their problems . Being online would provide the person with a certain safety, that is, the possibility of retreating to a mental space where they can neutralize, control, and process all those emotions they feel are unbearable.
A true form of personal protective retreat, a mental refuge that would allow one to avoid facing and protect oneself from a reality perceived as distressing and painful.
Internet addiction: cause or consequence of other psychological disorders?
The scientific community has long investigated whether IAD occurs more frequently in people who already have other mental disorders . The study conducted by D. Guangheng states that:
“From a clinical psychiatric perspective, an Internet addict profile may include individuals presenting one or more of the following: depression, bipolar disorder , sexual compulsion, and loneliness.
Morahan-Martin argued that it is difficult to determine causality between pathological dimensions and IAD and that Internet addiction may be symptomatic of other disorders […]
Armstrong et al. studied impulsivity and self-esteem as predictors of addiction, observing that “self-esteem was a better, but not an absolute, predictor of Internet addiction.”
ADHD and internet addiction
There is discussion and research on the connection between internet addiction and ADHD (Attention Deficit Impulse Control Disorder). Because ADHD can be defined by issues with self-control, organization, and time control, those with this illness may be more susceptible to internet addiction.
Because they serve as a rapid source of satisfaction, people with ADHD may find the web’s immediate availability and constant stimulation especially alluring.
For those suffering from ADHD, early detection through particular therapy can help lower their risk of internet addiction.
Internet addiction at different stages of life
The indications of cyberaddiction can vary depending on the stage of life. It’s important to take into account that adolescence is a very susceptible time in life when talking about internet addiction.
Teens may find it more difficult to control their technology use and completely comprehend the repercussions of addiction as their emotional and cognitive skills, self-confidence, or self-efficacy improve.
For a teenager, digital environments can foster the formation of new friendships, greater discussion, knowledge, and exchange of opinions.
On the other hand, the internet makes it extremely easy to be subjected to cyberbullying and, in some cases, excessive use of the web can lead to progressive social isolation that can sometimes lead to Hikikomori Syndrome.
Internet addiction in adults can manifest itself with specific signs that differ slightly from those seen in adolescence. Some consequences of internet addiction in adults include:
- Relationship problems : Offline social interactions are reduced
- problems at work : a drop in performance and productivity may occur
- problems in managing one’s daily responsibilities
- stress management problems, where the internet becomes a dysfunctional way to deal with it
- Avoidance and lack of self-control: the desire to use the Internet to avoid emotional situations that disturb one’s serenity increases, but one is unable to moderate one’s Internet use despite perceiving the negative effects on one’s daily life.
How to prevent internet addiction
In order to maintain a sustainable and balanced way of life, preventing internet addiction requires knowledge and responsible technology management. Strategies to promote the adoption of positive technology habits can be used to guarantee an enjoyable connection with the internet. There are some useful pointers:
- set time limits for internet usage
- restrict access to apps on your smartphone
- create routines that include time without digital devices
- encourage social interactions, perhaps by participating in offline group activities
- set “digital detox” periods.
Digital addiction and civic education
Incorporating digital addiction into civic education is essential to preparing students to address the challenges associated with using technology responsibly and consciously.
Here are some aspects that can be addressed within civic education to promote a healthy relationship with technology:
- teach people to recognize the signs of digital addiction and understand the implications for mental health
- promote ethical and respectful behavior online, including respect for privacy, prevention of cyberbullying, and awareness of the consequences of one’s online actions
- provide tools for developing control over technology use and time management skills, encouraging digital breaks and the adoption of balanced routines
- emphasize the importance of offline relationships and promote social interaction
- teach how to acquire useful information effectively and responsibly when conducting online searches.
Internet Addiction: How to Overcome It
The mechanisms of an addiction are not easy to address and overcome: for this reason, following advice on how to overcome internet addiction may not be enough. Consulting a psychologist may be an effective solution for treating internet addiction.
An experienced therapist, specialized in addiction treatment , could investigate the underlying reasons that led the person to engage in such addictive behavior and evaluate the impact this has on the patient’s well-being.
To make an accurate diagnosis, the therapist can use various tools, such as tests and questionnaires. Among the screening tools, we recommend the IAT (Internet Addiction Test), which is useful for an initial self-assessment of the level of involvement and the presence of potential problems related to internet addiction.
Some final considerations
Studies on the psychopathological aspects of Internet use, as we’ve mentioned, are a growing field and are still being debated by the scientific community. Observing and understanding the effects of technological transformation on our lives inevitably confronts us with a series of significant questions.
Being always connected, being immersed in a constant virtual sociality, the technological extension of our individuality, the birth of the “online person”, entail a redefinition of all those dynamics that characterise the growth and development of the individual .
This makes it necessary to start contemplating the ramifications of these modifications in order to evaluate their social and psychological effects. Therefore, this reflection does not imply minimizing or blaming the internet or new technologies; rather, it begins to examine the impact of this breakthrough, considering not only the remarkable resources it provides but also the possible risks language proficiency may pose to human physical, imaginative, and relational dimensions.
Developments created by technology can make it harder that some individuals to find equilibrium in their online and offline lives or manage their time effectively. It could be beneficial to speak with a psychologist who expertise in treating troublesome internet and digital device usage if you believe this is hurting your wellbeing.
Internet addiction and culture
Internet addiction disorder has inspired several songs about internet addiction, but music isn’t the only artistic creation on the subject. Several films about internet addiction have also been made, including:
- Her , which explores the relationship between a human and an intelligent operating system, reflecting on emotional connections in an increasingly digitalized world
- The Social Dilemma , which explores the impact of social media platforms on society, including the risks of addiction and the manipulation of attention
- Men, Women & Children , which discusses family and interpersonal relationships in a digital society, addressing issues such as cyberbullying and, indeed, internet addiction.
Books on Internet Addiction
Songs and films are creative products that can help explore the topic of internet addiction from different perspectives. For deeper exploration, books can also be helpful . Here are some reading suggestions:
- Hyperconnected: Why Kids Today Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy, and Totally Unprepared for Adulthood , J.M. Twenge, Einaudi
- Web-Mediated Psychopathology: Internet Addiction and New Dissociative Phenomena , F. Tonioni, Springer
- Children of the Internet: How to Help Them Grow in the Face of Narcissism, Sexting, Cyberbullying, and Social Withdrawal , M. Lancini, L. Cirillo, Erickson Edizioni
- Disconnected and Happy. Recognizing Internet and Cell Phone Addiction for Appropriate Use of New Technologies , M. Masip, Il Punto d’Incontro Editions
- Internet and its Addictions: From Involvement to Psychopathology , G. Lavenia, Franco Angeli.
