Internet Addiction
What is internet addiction?
When we talk about the ‘internet,’ it may sound like a broad term, especially since there are so many elements to the internet as a whole. From social media to online gaming, streaming services to forums and countless other activities, the internet has become an integral part of our daily lives. With such diverse usage, it can be difficult to understand what types of internet usage behaviour are classed as problematic.
Internet addiction refers to the excessive use of the internet to the point where it starts interfering with daily life. This could manifest in various ways, such as neglecting work or personal responsibilities, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not online or using the internet as a way to escape from real-life problems.
Despite its significant impact on people’s lives, internet addiction is not currently classified as a disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). However, this doesn’t mean the psychological community does not recognise it. Many mental health professionals acknowledge the problematic nature of excessive internet use and its potential to cause harm, offering treatment and support to those affected.
The difference between ‘normal’ and ‘problematic’ internet usage
The internet’s constant presence in our lives makes it challenging to discern when internet usage crosses the line from being a normal activity to problematic behaviour. To help you understand this fine line, we’ve provided examples of normal internet usage, compared with the signs and symptoms of internet addiction.
| Behaviour | Normal internet usage | Problematic internet usage |
| Time spent online | Browsing social media for an hour or two a day. | Spending 8+ hours daily online, neglecting personal and professional duties. |
| Work/study balance | Checking emails or news during breaks. | Constantly distracted by the internet, missing deadlines or failing exams. |
| Social interactions | Using the internet to stay in touch with friends and family. | Preferring online interactions over face-to-face meetings, leading to isolation. |
| Gaming | Playing video games for entertainment during free time. | Playing games all night, leading to sleep deprivation and daytime dysfunction. |
| Information seeking | Researching for work or hobbies periodically. | Compulsively seeking information online, unable to stop even when tired. |
| Shopping | Occasionally shopping online for convenience. | Excessive online shopping, leading to financial problems and regret. |
| Content consumption | Watching a couple of episodes of a TV show in the evening. | Binge-watching entire seasons in one sitting, neglecting sleep and responsibilities. |
| Use in public places | Checking phone occasionally in public. | Constantly glued to the phone, ignoring surroundings and social etiquette. |
| Emotional impact | Feeling entertained or informed after internet use. | Feeling anxious or irritable when not online, using the internet to escape problems. |
| Physical health | Maintaining a balanced lifestyle with physical activity. | Experiencing eye strain, headaches or carpal tunnel syndrome from excessive use. |
How can internet addiction affect an individual?
The issues associated with internet addiction reveal significant mental health implications for people. In a 2023 meta-analysis studying nearly 500,000 people with internet addiction, key findings highlight that problematic internet use is closely linked to several adverse outcomes:
Depressive symptoms
There is a robust association between internet addiction and increased depressive symptoms, particularly among undergraduates. This suggests that the more severe the internet addiction, the more likely individuals are to experience depression.
Anxiety
Internet addiction is positively related to anxiety. Students with high levels of internet addiction report greater anxiety, which can affect their overall mental health and daily functioning.
Loneliness
Loneliness is another major concern, especially for males with higher levels of internet addiction. The excessive use of the internet can lead to social isolation and a sense of loneliness, exacerbating mental health issues.
Other mental health outcomes
Problematic internet use is also associated with various other negative mental health outcomes, such as stress and emotional instability. The strength of these associations varies depending on several factors, including the region and the demographic profile of the study participants.
Subjective well-being
There is a negative correlation between internet addiction and subjective well-being. Individuals with high levels of internet addiction generally report lower levels of overall life satisfaction and happiness.
What causes an internet addiction?
Understanding the root cause of internet addiction is complex and multifaceted. To gain a comprehensive understanding, it’s essential to explore various factors that contribute to its development.
By examining these diverse areas, we can better understand how internet addiction develops and identify potential avenues for intervention and support.
Family functioning
- Poor parent-child relationships: Lower levels of family cohesion, more family conflict and poorer family relationships are risk factors for developing problematic internet and media use (PIMU). Adolescents experiencing less affection and more hostility from parents are more likely to develop gaming problems.
Personality traits
- Impulsivity: Adolescents with media use issues often show higher levels of impulsivity and lower self-control. Impulsivity is a significant predictor of problematic smartphone use and internet gaming disorder which are considered as components that fuel internet addiction.
- Neuroticism: High levels of neuroticism, characterised by nervousness and worry, are linked to PIMU. Neurotic individuals may find the control provided by video games appealing, potentially differentiating problematic use from heavy engagement.
Neurobiology and brain function
- Dopamine and immediate gratification: Video games and certain internet activities release dopamine rapidly, leading to immediate gratification and the potential for compulsive behaviours and increased tolerance. This dopamine response is similar to that seen in substance use and gambling disorders.
- Brain structure abnormalities: Adolescents with internet addiction show neurobiological irregularities in reward processing and impulse control, similar to those with gambling disorders. Imaging studies reveal structural abnormalities, such as reduced thickness in the orbitofrontal cortex, comparable to those seen in substance use disorders.
Do I have an internet addiction?
Reading the information above can be overwhelming, making it challenging to determine whether your internet usage is healthy. To simplify this process, we have crafted specific, introspective questions to help you assess your habits more effectively:
- Do you often find yourself staying online longer than you intended, even when it affects your daily responsibilities?
- Do you feel restless, moody or irritable when trying to cut down on your internet use?
- Do you neglect important tasks, such as work, school or household chores, because of time spent online?
- Do you use the internet as a way to escape from problems or to relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression?
- Have you unsuccessfully tried to reduce or control your internet use several times?
- Do you frequently think about your next online session or eagerly anticipate the next time you can go online?
If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to one or more of these questions, it may indicate that you have or are developing an internet addiction. Understanding and admitting a problem is the first step in getting help for internet addiction.
Where can I get help for internet addiction?
If you or someone you know is struggling as an internet addict, UKAT London Clinic offers comprehensive and compassionate internet addiction treatment.
Our residential internet rehab programme allows you to focus entirely on your recovery without distractions, ensuring no access to the internet during your stay, which is vital for your healing process.
Our therapy programmes include group and one-to-one therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and more. These treatments are designed to help you understand your internet addiction and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Recognise the internet addiction signs and take the first step towards recovery. Seek internet addiction help today and start your journey with UKAT London Clinic to a healthier, balanced life.
(Click here to see works cited)
- Cai Z, Mao P, Wang Z, Wang D, He J, Fan X. Associations Between Problematic Internet Use and Mental Health Outcomes of Students: A Meta-analytic Review. Adolesc Res Rev. 2023;8(1):45-62. doi: 10.1007/s40894-022-00201-9. Epub 2023 Jan 28. PMID: 36744121; PMCID: PMC9883821.
- Schneider LA, King DL, Delfabbro PH. Family factors in adolescent problematic internet gaming: a systematic review. J Behav Addict. 2017;6:321–333. doi: 10.1556/2006.6.2017.035.
- Kim Y, Jeong JE, Cho H, Jung DJ, Kwak M, Rho MJ, et al. Personality factors predicting smartphone addiction predisposition: behavioral inhibition and activation systems, impulsivity, and self-control. PLoS One. 2016;11:15.
- Sussman CJ, Harper JM, Stahl JL, Weigle P. Internet and video game addictions: diagnosis, epidemiology, and neurobiology. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2018;27:307–26.
- Fauth-Buhler M, Mann K. Neurobiological correlates of internet gaming disorder: similarities to pathological gambling. Addict Behav. 2017;64:349–356. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.11.004.