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Online Addictions

Introduction

Who would have thought that the Internet could spawn its own disease? Although the jury is

still out as to whether it really is a disease, for many, online addictions are very real.

This topic explores the different types

of computer addictions, differing theories on whether it

really is a clinical disease, and what to do if you or someone you know needs help.

Discussion

According to studies at the Center for Internet Addiction

The number of office workers who admit to usi

ng the internet during work hours to visit

social networking sites, to shop online, to read personal email, or to visit pornography,

gaming or gambling sites has risen to over 70%

Depression, anxiety

disorders, social phobias and other compulsive disorders

have

strong links to those with an internet addiction.

The most common forms of internet addiction are those that involve cybersex, online

affairs, and online gaming.

Internet predators are also likely to suffer from internet addiction.

Children with an i

nternet addiction have a greater tendency to suffer from depression,

experience both social and academic problems at school, may be at a greater risk to

develop physical illnesses, obesity, or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

Nomophobia (the fear of being

with a phone) is being triggered by the tremendous

growth in the availability and us of mobile phones and other portable devices such as

tablets, phablets, and wearable computing devices

(Young, n.d.

)

Computer addiction may or may not involve the Internet. Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD), a

term commonly used to describe most disorders, was first proposed by Dr. Ivan Goldberg

(Beato, 2010)

However, the term "addiction" i

tself tends to be controversial. One term

that seems to be more accepted is "problematic internet use" or PIU. PIU is generally

considered to be "

an impulse control disorder or an addiction similar to those

associated with substances," in other words

...

behavior operating in both producing

pleasure and reducing painful affects, causing negative health consequences, and being

associated with unsuccessful attempts or

stop or control this behavior"

(Laconi, Tricard,

& Chabrol, 2015

)

The Center for Internet Addiction lists five types of Internet addiction:

Cyber

sexual Addiction (sexting and online sex)

Cyber

relationship Addiction (infidelity and affairs)

Gaming Addiction (video games)

Online gambling and shopping

Excessing Internet data retrieval

(Young, n.d.)

Is it Real?

As mentioned, there is some disagreement among professionals as to whether there really is an

Internet addiction disorder or PIU. Many are quick to rush to the concl

usion that the Internet is

creating addictions. However, some think that what many users new to the Internet are going

through is just a phase, or in medical terms,

phasic

. The theory is, as with anything new, some

individuals experiment but then move on.

However, some can take it to an extreme. According

to John M. Grohol, Psy.D., a leading psychologist in this area, a model on this topic exists.

According to Grohol's Model of Pathological Internet Use, when a new or existing user

encounters a new online

activity, three stages of involvement can be identified: Enchantment

(Obsession), Disillusionment (Avoidance) and Balance (Normal)

(Grohol, 2012)

. Although most

Internet users transition normally through all three stages, so

me users get caught in the first

stage and are unable to escape on their own.

On the other hand, neither the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical

Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) nor the World Health Organization's International

Classification of Diseases recognize IAD or PIU as a disorder . What most psychologists in this

field agree upon, however, is that there are real dangers to certain users of the Internet,

despite from where the dangers emanate.

Let us now turn our focus

to the five types of Internet addiction.

Types of Computer or Internet Addictions

Cybersexual Addiction:

Involves the viewing, trading, or downloading of pornography, as well

as participation in sexually explicit chat rooms, mobile texting (sexting) or di

scussion

newsgroups.

Cyber

Relational Addiction:

Involves the creation of "virtual relationships" that become

excessive. In some cases, these relationships include "virtual adultery." Real relationships are

often overtaken by relationships created on the W

eb.

Gaming Addiction:

Involves compulsive use of video and computer games, sometimes resulting

in replacement of family, friends, work, and/or school with the fantasy world of gaming .

Net Compulsions:

Involves obsessive participation in not just gambling

(virtual casinos), but

also in online shopping activities, online auctions, and stock trading (often what is referred to as

"day trading").

Information Overload:

Involves excessive use of the Internet, both surfing and collecting data,

such that the time

spent doing this begins to interfere with an individual's personal life or work

pro

ductivity

(

Young, n.d

One additional addiction can be identified which does not involve the internet. It could be

labeled simply

Computer

Addiction

and

nvolves excessive or compulsive use of the computer

for single

user c

omputer games such as sol

itaire, Tetris, and Minesweeper.

How Can You Tell if You are Addicted?

There are many tests for IAD available on the Internet (ironically enough)

that can help you determine if

you have a computer addiction. Try typing "Internet Addiction Disorder Test" into your favorite search

engine and see what you come up with. Some warning signs may include a preoccupation with the

Internet, increasing use of

the Internet to gain satisfaction, and failed attempts to cut back use of the

Internet

(Young, n.d.)

The Good News

Most addictions, including those that involve computers and the Internet, are treatable. If you think that

u may have an addiction, the best thing to do is seek help. Well

trained mental health professionals

are able to successfully treat compulsive behaviors. The leading organization in the country is the

American Psychology Association (APA). Through their si

te, you will find a wealth of information and a

link that can help you locate a psychologist who can help.

Summary

Internet Addiction Disorder, whether clinically a disease or not, can be a problem for many of

us. In many cases, the Internet makes

existing addictions, such as compulsive shopping or

gambling, more accessible than before and consequently compounds the problem. There is a

wealth of resources available for those who want to learn more. More importantly, seek help if

you or someone you k

now suffers from any form of addiction, whether related to the Internet

or not.

References

Beato, G. (2010, July 26).

Internet Addiction

. Retrieved May 13, 2015, from Reason Foundation:

http://reason.org/news/show/internet

additiona

diagnosis

Grohol, J. (

2012, October 26).

Internet Addiction Guide.

Retrieved May 13, 2015, from

PsychCentral: http://psychcentral.com/netaddiction

Laconi, S., Tricard, N., & Chabrol, H. (2015, July). Differences between specific and generalized

problematic Internet uses accordi

ng to gender, age, time spent online and

psychopathological symptoms.

Computers in Human Behavior, 48

, 236

244. Retrieved

May 13, 2015, from

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563215000850

Young, K. (n.d.).

Screen Addiction

. Retrieved Ma

y 13, 2015, from NET ADDICTION:

http://netaddiction.com/compulsive

surfing