Internet Addiction

This article provides a comprehensive overview of internet addiction, including the specific types, signs and symptoms, negative consequences, and treatment options.

Key Takeaways:

• Internet addiction is a type of behavioral addiction characterized by excessive and uncontrolled internet use, leading to negative consequences. Social media, pornography, online gaming, and online gambling are common types of internet addiction.

• Internet addiction can lead to many negative consequences on one’s mental well-being, relationships, and ability to function.

• Professional treatment, such as psychotherapy, can help with internet addiction. There are also many strategies you can implement to reduce internet use before it becomes a major issue.

Understanding Internet Addiction

Internet addiction is a type of behavioral addiction characterized by excessive and uncontrolled internet use. There are many other related names often used interchangeably for internet addiction, such as compulsive internet use, internet-related addictive behavior, problematic internet use, and pathological internet use. ^[1]

As opposed to using the internet for work, school, or other functional reasons, individuals with internet addiction may spend several hours each day engaging in technology-related activities that are not necessary for life functions. They also experience a loss of control over internet use, which can lead to a variety of mental, social, and occupational issues, among other negative effects. ^{[1] [2]}

How Common is It?

The exact frequency of internet addiction isn’t definitively known. This is due to several factors, such as differing rates among cultures, and, perhaps more importantly, differences in the exact definitions of internet addiction.

Reported rates have ranged widely from 0.3 to 38% overall. More recent research estimates that internet addiction ranges from 6 to 27%, depending on the type of internet addiction. Among the types, general smartphone addiction is the most common. ^{[2] [3]}

Internet, Dopamine, or Technology Addiction?

There is still debate about whether internet addiction is a true diagnosable condition. However, the effects it can have on someone’s life are recognized. Currently, Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is the only internet-related addiction talked about in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, (Fifth Edition, Text Revision; DSM-5-TR). However, even this addiction is listed as requiring more research before becoming an official diagnosis. ^[4]

At this point, internet addiction is more of a catch-all term to describe various forms of problematic and compulsive internet-related behaviors, but it is still deemed by many to be a type of behavioral addiction. Ultimately, more specificity is needed when defining internet addiction to make it a diagnosable condition. ^{[1] [5]}

Ongoing research is revealing that internet addiction shares several general similarities with other addictions, including neurobiological and psychological components. Neurobiologically, internet addiction is associated with dysfunction in various brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex and striatum, as well as disruptions in the functioning of dopamine and other neurotransmitters. These factors are all associated with executive function, reward processing, and decision-making. Psychologically, internet addiction often involves cravings, withdrawal upon stopping or reducing activity, and other components often seen with addictions. ^{[1] [2]}

Types of Internet Addiction

There are several different types of internet addiction, including: ^{[5] [6] [7]}

• Social media

• Online gaming

• Pornography

• Online gambling

• Shopping

• Information overload

Social Media

Social media overuse refers to excessive use of social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok. Individuals with social media addiction feel an obsessive need to check these platforms, update their status, post or share, and perform other actions on these sitesplatforms. ^[6]

Within this subtype, individuals may also experience relational addiction, which is characterized by an excessive amount of time spent forming and engaging in relationships online, such as friendships or romanticlove relationships. These are often formed from online chat rooms, forums, or social media sites. ^[7]

Online Gaming

Individuals with online gaming addiction have an intense preoccupation with online games. They often need to spend more time playing games to satisfy their urges, and spend an excessive amount of time gaming, which can take away from important life activities and functions. ^[4]

Pornography

Pornography addiction refers to any internet-related addiction involving sexual content, including pornographicy websites and other sexual content. Individuals with pornography addiction often spend excessive time watching pornography videos or viewing other sexually explicit material, often at the expense of their relationships, work, and general well-being. ^[6]

Online Gambling

Online gambling involves compulsive and excessive internet-related gambling. Individuals with online gambling may bet on sports games, play online casino games, or partake in online lotteries, among other forms. Online gambling addiction falls under the diagnosis of gambling disorder, which is officially recognized by the DSM-5-TR. ^[4]

Online Shopping

Online shopping addiction involves compulsive purchases of goods and services from various online stores and websites. Shopping addiction encompasses more than the actual purchase of items. Individuals with an online shopping problem experience strong urges to shop and may spend several hours per day looking for new products to purchase.

Information Overload

Information overload refers to a general overuse of the internet for information gathering. While many internet searches are necessary or helpful to one’s life, this specifically refers to a compulsive need to constantly search for and process various online information. This may include researching topics of interest, checking the news, and searching for/organizing data. ^[5]

Signs of Internet Addiction

The signs of internet addiction often parallel the signs and symptoms of other addictions. Specific signs of internet addiction include: ^{[1] [2] [5] [6]}

• Inability to control internet/online use

• Preoccupation with internet-related uses

• Withdrawal symptoms when not using the internet, such as:

• Irritability

• Anxiety

• Sadness/depression

• Continued internet use despite functional consequences, including:

• Neglect of personal and professional obligations (e.g., school, work)

• Decreased relationship quality

• Physical issues (e.g., lack of sleep, headache, eye strain)

• Using the internet more often or frequently than intended

• Strong urges and cravings to use the internet

• Loss of interest in other activities

• Lying to others about the amount of time spent online

Internet Addiction and Children

While everyone can become negatively affected by internet addiction, the consequences may even be more severe for children and adolescents. Childhood and adolescence are critical periods for brain development, which can be negatively impacted by excessive internet use. This may hinder creativity, imagination, motor and sensory development, and emotional and behavioral functioning. ^[8]

Furthermore, excessive internet use can lead to worsened mental health in these young individuals. Children may become withdrawn and avoid or reduce their real-world relationships, which are vital for overall well-being. Internet addiction in children also increases the risk of anxiety, depression, poor self-image, and several other mental health concerns. ^{[8] [9]}

Out of all the ways children and adolescents may become addicted to the internet, social media is by far the most common. Some estimates have shown that up to 50% of adolescents feel addicted to social media. ^[9]

How Excessive Internet Addiction Affects the Brain

Excessive internet use has several negative consequences on brain function and related outcomes. Firstly, internet addiction can lead to changes in the function of important brain regions involved in reward, control, and executive functions, such as the prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and amygdala, among several others. ^{[1] [5]}

In addition, internet addiction activates the reward pathway or “pleasure center” in the brain, which is accompanied by a release of dopamine and other neurotransmitters. Over time, this can lead to downregulation of dopamine receptors (and other changes), which can lead to tolerance and the need for increasing stimuli to produce the same pleasurable effect as before. ^[2]

Research has also shown that internet addiction in adolescents leads to decreased gray matter volume and altered neurotransmitter functioning. ^[9]

Internet Use and Mental Health

The relationship between internet use and mental health is complex. Very likely, it is bidirectional, in that mental health issues can increase the likelihood of problematic internet use, while excessive internet use can also worsen overall mental health.

Excessive internet use is more likely to occur in individuals with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and anxiety. In part, this is likely due to using the internet as a way to escape from these emotions and issues. ^{[2] [7]}

At the same time, internet addiction increases the likelihood of anxiety, depression, hostility, loneliness, and other mental health-related concerns. Overall, this can create a problematic cycle that’s difficult to break out of. ^[2]

Treatment for Internet Addiction

The overarching treatment for internet addiction is similar to treating other addictions, given the many similar features. Possible treatments include psychotherapy, support groups, and medication.

Within psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has the most evidence behind it for internet addiction. CBT for internet addiction (CBT-IA) focuses on the situational, emotional, and cognitive factors contributing to internet overuse. This therapy helps to identify and manage triggers, reframe and restructure maladaptive thoughts, and implement coping strategies to promote overall mental well-being. In turn, all of these factors are designed to helpmake individuals gain more able to control over their internet use and function better overall. ^[1]

Other psychotherapeutic frameworks for internet addiction include: ^{[2] [5]}

• Motivational interviewing: Designed to identify and enhance one’s intrinsic motivations for overcoming internet addiction, and address ambivalence surrounding change, while helping to develop supportive skills and techniques to reach goals.

• Reality therapy: This therapy helps individuals to directly choose to improve their lives, with a focus on time management, commitment to change, and using alternative activities to replace internet use.

• Acceptance and commitment therapy: This therapy involves accepting one’s current thoughts and emotions, along with a commitment to change. Other important techniques are involved, too, such as mindfulness.

Medications may also be used to help treat internet addiction, especially in situations that involve co-occurring mental health conditions. Examples include selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. ^[2]

Knowing When to Get Help

Seeking help as early as possible often leads to better outcomes. Therefore, it’s important to know when to get help.

You should seek help for internet addiction if you’ve tried to reduce your time online on your own but struggled, if your current internet use is interfering with work, school, relationships, and your ability to function, and/or if you’ve experienced significantly worse mental or physical health due to excessive internet use.

Reducing Internet Use Before it Becomes a Problem

In today’s day and age, stopping internet use completely isn’t possible, nor is it practical or necessary for the vast majority of individuals. However, there are strategies you can implement to help reduce and modify your internet use before it becomes a problem.

Listed below are several evidence-based, practical strategies to modify internet use: ^{[2] [10]}

• Identify your patterns of internet use, and replace at least some of themis with other activities (especially during the times you most frequently go on the internet)

• You might replace online time with spending time in person with loved ones, journaling, movement, or engaging in a hobby offline

• Set goals and limits for daily internet use

• For example, you might set a limit of 1-2 hours of internet use per day, with the goal of not being online while interacting with others

• Remove or greatly reduce access to the most problematic apps or websites

• You may delete apps or choose to hide them from your homescreen

• Use parental controls to manage child or adolescent use

• Can also be used for adults, too, especially for pornography-related concerns

• Use reminder cards, alarms, or other tools to take a break or stop internet use for the day

• Practice general stress management strategies (e.g., meditation, deep breathing, nature walks)

• Utilize various apps to limit or restrict internet use

Support Options

Having support from others can be very helpful in managing and overcoming excessive internet use. There are many ways you can get support from others, such as: ^{[2] [6]}

• Joining support groups for internet addiction and related issues

• You may be able to find a group through a therapist or a local mental health organization. Online support groups also exist, such as Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous

• Letting trusted family and friends know about your current struggles

• Incorporate trusted family, friends, or peers into online monitoring systems

• Depending on the app or program, they may be able to limit or restrict your internet use

• Seeking professional help from a qualified mental health professional

• You can find a provider through a therapist directory, your insurance carrier, or Employee Assistance Program, searching “internet addiction therapy near me,” or SAMHSA’s treatment locator

Takeaway

Internet addiction is not an official diagnosis, but the consequences of excessive internet use are certainly well-established. Excessive internet usage can affect individuals of all ages, with potential detriments to mental and physical well-being, social functioning and relationships, school and work performance, and other important areas.

Fortunately, there are many treatments for internet addiction, along with many supportive strategies you can use to reduce internet use before it ever becomes a major problem. If you’re having serious issues, professional help is available to help you get on the right track.