The Debate over Internet Addiction
By LeAnne Bagnall
Over the past decade, the upsurge in technology has infused itself to the younger generation’s identity, bringing much attention to newer risks or threats to health. Sex addiction facilitated by the Internet is nothing new, but what about addiction to the Internet itself? People across the globe may find themselves compelled to their computer screen for shopping, gambling, social networking, gaming, viewing pornography, and more. But is this a sign of an underlining problem, or is the Internet the problem itself?
Internet addiction disorder (IAD) refers to the overuse of the computer (including use of the Internet) to the point where the usage interferes with everyday life and disrupts social functioning. Since 1995, the classification of Internet addiction disorder has been hotly debated, mainly due to the lack of research and evidence on which to base the diagnosis and the fact that the Internet is still relatively new. The disorder has not yet been accepted by the American Psychiatric Association as a formalized addiction, nor was it included in the 2009 publication of DSM-IV.
Supporters of the IAD diagnosis argue that Internet addiction should be considered a recognizable disorder, similar to alcoholism, due to its apparent correspondence of the addiction cycle: habitual use, withdrawal, increased tolerance, and negative consequences. Researchers such as Prof. David Greenfield of the Center for Internet Behavior and assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Connecticut’s School of Medicine; Maressa Orzack of Harvard University’s Computer Addiction Center at McLean Hospital; and Jerald J. Block, M.D. have petitioned for IAD’s inclusion in the DSM, although the American Medical Association recommended against its inclusion.
Why the debate? First, addiction is typically associated with a substance—something the body becomes dependent on. On the other hand, modern disorders such as IAD, gambling addiction, sexual addiction, and impulsive disorders can be considered a behavioral addiction, as in the case of obsessive-compulsive disorder in which the individual feels compelled to perform ritualistic acts in order to purge his or her anxiety.
So where does Internet addiction lie? Most research concludes that the Internet itself is not the source of addiction, but rather the medium to facilitate the addiction. Individuals with a gambling addiction may spend a great deal of time on gambling websites, but that does not mean that they are addicted to the Internet. These people tend to engage in gambling both online and in “real life,” although the latter can be difficult for those who suffer from social anxiety, so they may rely on the Internet as an outlet for their compulsion. The same can be argued for pornography addiction or compulsive shopping. In these cases, the Internet is more like a compulsion rather than an addiction. Some may use the Internet to write emails, read the news, or gather information. These acts are not innovative concepts—they are social interactions merely performed through a different medium.
Researchers like sociologist Keith Hampton, an assistant professor at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania and lead author of the Pew Research Center’s investigation of Internet addiction, believes that the appearance of newer technologies such as the Internet and mobile devises does not disrupt social interactivity. People may develop compulsions such as excessive use of the Internet in order to appease an underlying disorder as in social anxiety disorder. Additionally, people who have been identified as suffering from IAD also commonly suffer from other anxiety disorders, depression, or substance abuse. In this light, Internet addiction appears to be a symptom of a recognizable disorder rather than the disorder itself.
However, some modern researchers argue that this compulsive identification is the very reason why the disorder should be termed as an official addiction, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Internet addiction has been known to jeopardize personal relationships, employment or school status, and has caused multiple symptoms such as agitation, nervousness, insomnia, aggressiveness, anorexia, and tremulousness, according to some recent studies, which find these symptoms to be parallel with the definition of dependency. Cases of Internet addiction have also evidenced euphoria, tolerance, and cognitive salience, which identify IAD within the constructs of addiction.
Yet the debate is ongoing in the United States. Due to insufficient evidence and unbiased polls or criteria, along with the lack of evidenced physiologic dependency, the condition has not gained acceptance as a formally recognized addiction. In addition, most research finds that there is no negative effect if the affected individual is removed from his or her compulsive environment.
However, IAD is another issue globally. China has stated that Internet use and video gaming addiction has become a public health concern, and researchers are claiming that anywhere between 2–15% of Internet users are addicted. Professor Greenfield believes that 3–6% of users have developed IAD.
The first rehabilitation center for Internet addiction, called the reSTART Internet Addiction Recovery Program, opened its doors this July in Washington. The program accepts up to 6 patients at a time in the treatment of Internet and video gaming addiction recovery, a 45-day program costing $14,500. The center treats patients in the manner similar to other substance recovery programs, teaching patients how to control their compulsions and use the Internet in a healthy manner.
Parents may find their teens attached to their cell phones, either chatting or text messaging at all hours of the day; video games are becoming more complex and interactive, sucking in kids for hours at a time; blogging and social networking are the lifelines for today’s youth. Should these technologies be considered addictions? The answer is still to be determined by the American Medical Association. Parents should keep this debate in mind when considering a behavioral problem among their children; technology is a growing industry that means different things for different generations. If you feel that you or a loved one may have developed a behavioral problem involving Internet use, counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended.
