Introduction
The Internet has helped bring the world into people's homes in a waythat was never before possible. Valuable resources, data, and information are available to more people than ever before. Photos, graphics, video, color, sound, information, live interaction - it's all available online all the time. But with this new resource, a new addiction has also been created: addiction to the Internet. Some people find themselves getting sucked into the online world and all that it has to offer. Some discover chat rooms and the wonders of interacting with people all over the world in real time. Some discover the online gaming community, playing games with other people far into the night. Some people are simply looking for an escape from the problems of their real life, and they turn to the Internet to find solace and consolation from their community of online friends. But soon they find that their lives are crumbling around them as they spend increasing amounts of time on the Internet. As a result, relationships, health and hygiene, hobbies, chores, and even sleep begin to suffer. But like any other addiction, there is help. Internet addiction can be overcome. Some people are able to help themselves with the support of friends and family. Some people need to seek professional counseling. Either way, there is hope for those who find that they've become addicted to the Internet.
How does it happen?
Internet use is simply the latest addition to a long list of harmless and routine behaviors that people can become addicted to. Some of these potentially addictive behaviors include work, sex, gambling, eating, exercise, shopping, television and computers. However, under certain conditions, these behaviors can become addictive for some people. (Often, the addiction is not recognized until the person is fully absorbed in their addictive behavior.) These behaviors can cause an increase in the level of dopamine, a chemical produced by the body that gives people a feeling of exhilaration. Although brief, this process is pleasurable and habit-forming. For people who feel bored with their lives, the thrill they feel when they engage in this behavior can become addicting.
Internet addiction shares similar characteristics with other addictions. Just as an alcoholic develops a tolerance for alcohol, Internet addicts develop a tolerance for Internet use. Internet addicts often need to spend more and more time online to satisfy their desire. Over time, people develop a psychological dependence on the Internet that revolves around rituals and habits that consume a person's life. Internet addicts become dependent on the feelings they have while they are online and they suffer from withdrawal when they are not online. Many people see the Internet as a place to escape to, a second home where the problems of their life cease to exist, a place where they feel welcome, loved, and appreciated. Users can become whoever they want to be and can take on a completely different persona online. Shy people can become the life of the party online, gathering online friends wherever they go. “Like the old TV show Cheers, the Internet becomes the place where everybody knows your name -- or at least your ‘handle,' which is the name and persona you choose to go by”.
Profile of an addict
Brenda has been married to Eric for 10 years. They got along fine until Brenda discovered chat rooms. Now she only steps out of the computer room to go to the bathroom or get something out of the refrigerator, and when she comes back to bed, Eric's been asleep for hours. They argue about this constantly. "I even tried to get him to use the computer just to stop the fighting, but he wanted nothing to do with it," Brenda explained. "He wants me to give up the Internet, but I need it too much in my life. When it comes right down to it, I won't give it up--not even for him" (Young,Caught in the Net, 14-15).
Warning Signs and Symptoms
Most Internet addicts have similar and predictable behavioral patterns. Studies have shown that there are definite warning signs from people who are addicted to the Internet. Some are more obvious than others. An increasing preoccupation with the Internet is usually the first sign, and is often overlooked because it happens gradually. When an Internet addict is not online, they often experience anxiety or feel that they are missing out on something. People who believe that a loved one might be suffering from Internet addiction should watch for the following signs.
An Internet addict is likely to:
1. Use online services every day without any skipping.
2. Lose track of time after making a connection.
3. Go out less and less.
4. Spend less and less time on meals at home or at work, and eat in front of the monitor.
5. Deny that they spend too much time on the Net.
6. Hear complaints from others about the amount of time spent online
7. Check their e-mail too many times a day.
8. Think you they have the greatest web site in the world and are dying to give people their URL.
9. Log onto the Internet while already busy at work.
10. Sneak online when spouse or family members not at home, with a sense of relief
Do You Have Internet Addiction?
Dr. Kimberly S. Young is a licensed psychologist who is internationally known as a researcher, author, and speaker on the impact of human technology on behavior. In 1996, Dr. Young conducted a case study of 396 dependent Internet users and a control group of 100 non-dependent Internet users. She presented the results of her addiction study at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in August 1996. The first part of the study established the criteria that would differentiate Internet addiction from normal Internet usage. The criteria are:
1. Do you feel preoccupied with the Internet (think about previous online activity or anticipate next online 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 online longer than originally intended?
6. Have you jeopardized 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)?
People who answered "yes" to five or more of these criteria were classified as addicted Internet users, or Dependents. For the purposes of Young's study, the remainder were classified as normal Internet users, or Non-Dependents
Types of Internet Addiction
Internet Addiction is an all-encompassing term that covers a range of behaviors and impulse-control problems. When someone is said to have Internet addiction, their addiction usually falls into one of five categories. Some people's addiction falls into more than one category, and in extreme cases, all five categories. According to the Center for Online and Internet Addiction, these are the five specific types of Internet addiction:
1. Cybersexual Addiction: Individuals who suffer from cybersexual addiction typically are either engaged in viewing, downloading, and trading online pornography or involved in adult fantasy role-play chat rooms.
2. Cyber-Relational Addiction: Individuals who suffer from Chat room addiction become over-involved in online relationships or may engage in virtual adultery. Online friends quickly become more important to the individual often at the expense of real life relationships with family and friends. In many instances, this will lead to marital discord and family instability.
3. Net Gaming: Net gaming encompass a broad category of behaviors including obsessive online gambling, gaming, shopping, or stock trading behaviors. In particular, individuals will utilize virtual casinos, interactive games, e-auction houses, or e-brokerage houses only to lose excessive amounts of money and even disrupt other job-related duties or significant relationships.
4. Information Overload: The wealth of data available on the World Wide Web has created a new type of compulsive behavior regarding excessive web surfing and database searches. Individuals will spend greater amounts of time searching and collecting data from the web and organizing information. Obsessive compulsive tendencies and reduced work productivity are typically associated with this behavior.
5. Computer Addiction: In the 80s, computer games such as Solitaire and Minesweeper were programmed into computers and researchers found that obsessive computer game playing became problematic in organizational settings as employees spent most days playing rather than working. These games are not interactive nor played online (COIA, "What is Internet Addiction").
Problems Caused by Internet Addiction
Like any other addiction, Internet addiction will eventually create problems in the life of the addict. Usually the first problem to arise is with the addict's relationships with a spouse, friends, and/or family. Because the addict spends more and more time in solitary seclusion, they are spending less time with their loved ones. Arguments and interventions often lead to the addict lying about how much time they spend online, which invariably leads to distrust and discontent from loved ones.
When Internet addiction spirals out of control, people spend far less time doing the activities they used to enjoy. Every aspect of their daily lives becomes neglected, and their well-being begins to suffer. The powerful stimulation of the Internet causes the addict to become bored with activities that are mundane in comparison, such as reading. The most common activities that fall by the wayside for the Internet addict are:
- Time with partner or family
- Daily chores
- Sleep
- Reading
- Watching TV
- Time with friends
- Exercise
- Hobbies (gardening, woodworking, sewing)
- Sex
- Social events (movies, plays, concerts)
Self-Help
For mild cases of Internet addiction, it may be possible to overcome the addiction with the help of family and friends. In her book, Caught in the Net , Dr. Young outlines 20 recovery strategies for getting over Internet addiction. Here are five of them:
- 1. Recognize what you're missing in your life. Make a list of the activities you're missing out on because you're online too much. You may not realize just how much you're missing until you write it down.
- 2. Use time management techniques. Chart your time online and allow yourself a certain amount of online time each day. Incorporate your Internet time into your weekly schedule and give it specific time slots. Ambiguous plans are harder to follow.
- 3. Find support in the real world. Having the help and support of your family and friends is essential for overcoming any addiction. Face-to-face support groups are also highly beneficial.
- 4. Carry positive reminder cards to look at when you feel the urge to go online. On these cards, write down the major problems that have been caused by your Internet addiction, as well as the major benefits of cutting back on your Internet use.
- 5. Tune in to your addictive triggers. Realize what makes you want to go back online. Force yourself to make the choice of doing something else when you get those feelings
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