internet addiction effects essay

Internet Addiction

Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff

More a popular idea than a scientifically valid concept, internet addiction is the belief that people can become so dependent on using their mobile phones or other electronic devices that they lose control of their own behavior and suffer negative consequences. The harm is alleged to stem both from direct involvement with the device—something that has never been proven—and from the abandonment of other activities, such as studying, face-to-face socializing, or sleep.

• What Is Internet Addiction?
• Signs of Excessive Internet Use
• Internet Use and Mental Health
• What to Do About Internet Addiction

There is much debate in the scientific community about whether excessive internet use can be classified as a true addiction. In an addiction to substances such as drugs or alcohol , consumption ceases being pleasurable but continues and is difficult to escape even as the likelihood of harm to the body and life mounts. In the case of internet use, there is no clear point at which being online becomes non-pleasurable for most individuals. In part for this reason, behavioral "addictions," including using the internet, remain controversial: Experts debate where the line should be drawn between passionate absorption in any activity—say, devoting a lot of time to playing the cello or reading books—and being stuck in a rut of compulsivity that stops being useful and detrimentally affects other areas of life.

In preparing the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , psychiatrists and other experts debated whether to include internet addiction. They decided that there was not enough scientific evidence to support inclusion at this time, although the DSM-5 does recognize Internet Gaming Disorder as a condition warranting further study.

Most often, the word “addiction” is used in the colloquial sense. Common Sense Media finds that 59 percent of parents “feel” their kids are addicted to their mobile devices—just as 27 percent of the parents feel that they themselves are. Sixty-nine percent of parents say they check their own devices at least hourly, as do 78 percent of teens. Spending a lot of time on the internet is increasingly considered normal behavior, especially for adolescents. Much of their social activity has simply moved online. Like any new technology, the computer has changed the way everyone lives, learns, and communicates. It is possible to be online far too much, even though this does not constitute a true addiction in the eyes of most clinicians. 

Internet content creators leverage the ways in which the brain works to rally consumers '  attention . One simple example: A perceived threat activates your fight-or-flight response, a part of the brain known as the Reticular Activating System mobilizes the body for action. So online content exploits potential dangers—violence, natural disaster, disease, etc.—to attract and hold your attention.  

Problematic or excessive internet use can indeed pose a serious problem. It can displace such important needs as sleep, homework, and exercise, often a source of friction between parents and teens. It can have negative effects on real-life relationships. 

The idea of internet addiction is a particular concern among parents, who worry about the harmful effects of screen time and often argue about device use with their children. According to a 2019 survey conducted by Common Sense Media, children aged 8 to 12 now spend 5 hours a day on digital devices, while teens clock more than 7 hours—not including schoolwork. Teen screen time is slowly ticking upward, and most teens take their phones to bed with them.

Whether classified as an addiction or not, heavy use of technology can be detrimental. It can impair focus, resulting in poor performance at school or work. Excessive internet consumption also makes it more difficult for people to communicate normally or to regulate their emotions. They spend less time on non-internet-related activities at the cost of relationships with friends, family, and significant others.

One way to assess whether you’re using the internet too much is to ask yourself if your basics needs (or your child’s, if they are the concern) are being met. Do you sleep enough, eat healthy, get enough exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and spend time socializing in-person? The real harm of screen time may lie in missed opportunities for growth and connection.

Excessive screen time can be particularly harmful to a developing brain: It decreases focus and attention span while increasing the need for more constant stimulation and instant gratification. Those who use the internet excessively may feel anxious if their access to their device gets restricted. They tend to be more impulsive and struggle to recognize facial and nonverbal cues in real life.

Internet use becomes a problem when people start substituting online connections for real, physical relationships. The effects of technology on relationships include increased isolation and loneliness . Defaulting to online communication also denies us the opportunity to hear someone’s voice and read their facial cues in-person; it can also lead to poorer outcomes and miscommunication. Experts recommend that we save the important conversations for when we can be face-to-face for just this reason.   

Online content has been designed to elicit specific “checking habits,” which can result in distraction and poor performance at school or work. Constantly checking your smartphone or another device can also lead to relationship-sabotaging behaviors, like phubbing (snubbing loved ones for the instant gratification of checking the internet on your device). As more time is spent online, less is devoted to the natural pleasures of everyday life.  

Excessive use of the internet is known to negatively impact a person’s mental health. It has been associated with mental health issues, such as loneliness, depression , anxiety , and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Research suggests that people are likely to use the internet more as an emotional crutch to cope with negative feelings instead of addressing them in proactive and healthy ways.

This is a subject of debate at present. While internet addiction is not in the DSM-V, it is clearly a behavior that negatively impacts mental health and cognition for many, and many struggle to cut back on their time online. The term "addiction" is often used as a shorthand for, “My child spends a lot of time on social media , texting friends, or playing video games, and I’m worried how it will affect his or her future development and success.” At the same time, many people label it a behavioral addiction, engaging reward circuitry seen in other problematic behaviors such as gambling.

Time online is also sometimes used as an escape from boredom or relief from loneliness or other unpleasantness. Occasionally, excessive screen time masks a state of depression or anxiety. In such cases, digital engagement becomes an attempt to remedy the feelings of distress caused by true mental health disorders that could likely benefit from professional or other attention.

Given how much people rely on technology to complete everyday tasks, from online schooling to paying bills to ordering food to keeping in touch with loved ones who are far away, it isn’t feasible to stop using the internet altogether. In most cases, the goal should be to reduce the time spent online. Many of those who’ve struggled to balance internet use with other activities recommend such simple “digital detox” measures as leaving devices in the kitchen or any other room but the bedroom at night. Cognitive behavioral therapy can also help address addiction-like behaviors, like constant checking habits. 

Amidst growing concerns about the increased amount of time people are spending online, the “digital detox” has become a popular way to cope. A digital detox involves temporarily abstaining from using devices, like computers and smartphones. Someone may go on a digital detox in order to re-engage with a passion or activity, focus more on in-person interactions, or break free of a pattern of compulsive or excessive use. Digital detoxes also allow more time for self-care that a person may have been neglecting in order to stay plugged into the internet, which can lead to lower stress levels and better sleep.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. You may want to digitally detox if you notice that you’re experiencing sleep disruptions due to staying up late or waking up early to be on a device, if the internet is making you feel depressed, or if the constant need to be connected causes you stress. Other signs may include feeling anxious if you can’t locate your phone, having FOMO ( fear of missing out) if you’re not checking the internet or social media, struggling to focus without (or due to) constant checking behaviors, etc.

Unlike other detoxes where the goal is to abstain completely, digital detoxes are more flexible and tailored to the individual. It may not be possible due to work or personal obligations to shut your devices off entirely for long periods of time. If it’s time for a digital detox , there are some strategies you can try: Block off non-screen time during the day and/or night, set a “digital curfew” for using devices at night or on weekends, specify digital-free spaces in your home (e.g., the bedroom or dinner table), and use the additional time in fulfilling ways (e.g., socialize, rekindle old interests, volunteer, etc.).

Use the internet and social media with purpose; set time limits on your unstructured use to avoid going down long and unfulfilling rabbit holes. Take advantage of the extra free time you suddenly have. Spend more time socializing in-person and volunteer. Rekindle old interests or take up a new hobby. Go outside. Pay more attention to how you are feeling, both physically and emotionally.

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How to Know If You Have an Internet Addiction and What to Do About It

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• Top 5 Things to Know

Internet Addiction in Kids

• What to Do If You're Addicted

Internet addiction is a behavioral addiction in which a person becomes dependent on the Internet or other online devices as a maladaptive way of coping with life's stresses.

Internet addiction has and is becoming widely recognized and acknowledged. So much so that in 2020, the World Health Organization formally recognized addiction to digital technology as a worldwide problem, where excessive online activity and Internet use lead to struggles with time management, sleep, energy, and attention.

Top 5 Things to Know About Internet Addiction

• Internet addiction is not yet an officially recognized mental disorder. Researchers have formulated diagnostic criteria for Internet addiction, but it is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) . However, Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is included as a condition for further study, and Internet addiction is developing as a specialist area.
• At least three subtypes of Internet addiction have been identified: video game addiction , cybersex or online sex addiction, and online gambling addiction .
• Increasingly, addiction to mobile devices, such as cellphones and smartphones, and addiction to social networking sites, such as Facebook, are being investigated. There may be overlaps between each of these subtypes. For example, online gambling involves online games, and online games may have elements of pornography.
• Sexting , or sending sexually explicit texts, has landed many people in trouble. Some have been teens who have found themselves in hot water with child pornography charges if they are underage. It can also be a potential gateway to physical infidelity .
• Treatment for Internet addiction is available, but only a few specialized Internet addiction services exist. However, a psychologist with knowledge of addiction treatment will probably be able to help.

If you or a loved one are struggling with an addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database .

As Internet addiction is not formally recognized as an addictive disorder, it may be difficult to get a diagnosis. However, several leading experts in the field of behavioral addiction have contributed to the current knowledge of symptoms of Internet addiction. All types of Internet addiction contain the following four components:  

Excessive Use of the Internet

Despite the agreement that excessive Internet use is a key symptom, no one seems able to define exactly how much computer time counts as excessive. While guidelines suggest no more than two hours of screen time per day for youths under 18, there are no official recommendations for adults.

Furthermore, two hours can be unrealistic for people who use computers for work or study. Some authors add the caveat “for non-essential use,” but for someone with Internet addiction, all computer use can feel essential.

Here are some questions from Internet addiction assessment instruments that will help you to evaluate how much is too much.

How Often Do You...

• Stay online longer than you intended?
• Hear other people in your life complain about how much time you spend online?
• Say or think, “Just a few more minutes” when online?
• Try and fail to cut down on how much time you spend online?
• Hide how long you’ve been online?

If any of these situations are coming up on a daily basis, you may be addicted to the Internet.

Although originally understood to be the basis of physical dependence on alcohol or drugs, withdrawal symptoms are now being recognized in behavioral addictions, including Internet addiction.

Common Internet withdrawal symptoms include anger, tension, and depression when Internet access is not available.   These symptoms may be perceived as boredom, joylessness, moodiness, nervousness, and irritability when you can’t go on the computer.

Tolerance is another hallmark of alcohol and drug addiction and seems to be applicable to Internet addiction as well.   This can be understood as wanting—and from the user's point of view, needing—more and more computer-related stimulation. You might want ever-increasing amounts of time on the computer, so it gradually takes over everything you do. The quest for more is likely a predominant theme in your thought processes and planning.

Negative Repercussions

If Internet addiction caused no harm, there would be no problem. But when excessive computer use becomes addictive, something starts to suffer.

One negative effect of internet addiction is that you may not have any offline personal relationships, or the ones you do have may be neglected or suffer arguments over your Internet use.

• Online affairs can develop quickly and easily, sometimes without the person even believing online infidelity is cheating on their partner.
• You may see your grades and other achievements suffer from so much of your attention being devoted to Internet use.
• You may also have little energy for anything other than computer use—people with Internet addiction are often exhausted from staying up too late on the computer and becoming sleep deprived.
• Finances can also suffer , particularly if your addiction is for online gambling, online shopping, or cybersex.

Internet addiction is particularly concerning for kids and teens. Children lack the knowledge and awareness to properly manage their own computer use and have no idea about the potential harms that the Internet can open them up to. The majority of kids have access to a computer, and it has become commonplace for kids and teens to carry cellphones.

While this may reassure parents that they can have two-way contact with their child in an emergency, there are very real risks that this constant access to the Internet can expose them to.

• Children have become increasingly accustomed to lengthy periods of time connected to the Internet, disconnecting them from the surrounding world.
• Children who own a computer and have privileged online access have an increased risk of involvement in cyberbullying , both as a victim and as a perpetrator.  
• Children who engage in problematic internet use are more likely to use their cellphone for cybersex, particularly through sexting, or access apps which could potentially increase the risk of sex addiction and online sexual harms, such as Tinder.  

In addition, kids who play games online often face peer pressure to play for extended periods of time in order to support the group they are playing with or to keep their skills sharp. This lack of boundaries can make kids vulnerable to developing video game addiction.   This can also be disruptive to the development of healthy social relationships and can lead to isolation and victimization.

Children and teens are advised to have no more than two hours of screen time per day.

What to Do If You Have an Internet Addiction

If you recognize the symptoms of Internet addiction in yourself or someone in your care, talk to your doctor about getting help. As well as being able to provide referrals to Internet addiction clinics, psychologists, and other therapists, your doctor can prescribe medications or therapy to treat an underlying problem if you have one, such as depression or social anxiety disorder.

Internet addiction can also overlap with other behavioral addictions, such as work addiction, television addiction , and smartphone addiction.

Internet addiction can have devastating effects on individuals, families, and particularly growing children and teens. Getting help may be challenging but can make a huge difference in your quality of life.

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By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. 

• Open access
• Published: 08 December 2023

Effects of different interventions on internet addiction: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

• Yuqiong Zhu 1   na1 ,
• Haihan Chen 2   na1 ,
• Junda Li 1 ,
• Xian Mei 3 &
• Wenjuan Wang 1  

BMC Psychiatry volume  23 , Article number:  921 ( 2023 ) Cite this article

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Globally, Internet is a recognized form of leisure, but there are growing apprehensions about the increasing number of individuals developing an addiction to it. Recent research has focused on social issues associated with internet addiction (IA). However, the treatment of IA is currently unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between IA treatment outcomes and different intervention strategies through systematic review and data analysis of patients who received different intervention modes.

A meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 14.2 on 57 literature research data from five Chinese and English databases, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Wanfang and CNKI.

A total of 57 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this network meta-analysis involving 3538 IA patients and 13 different interventions. The network meta-analysis results demonstrated that the top four interventions were: rTMS + CBT, drug + others, rTMS, and electro-acupuncture + CBT.

Our study indicated that comprehensive therapy had an optimal therapeutic effect on IA patients and rTMS + CBT ranked first among all therapeutic indicators of intervention, indicating optimal clinical effectiveness.

Peer Review reports

The internet has revolutionized communication, work, and access to information, becoming an integral part of modern life with numerous benefits and conveniences for users. However, this ubiquitous technology also has a darker side. Concerns about excessive Internet use have been raised in recent years, leading to the concept of Internet addiction (IA). According to statistics, the incidence of IA among Chinese college students is 11% [ 1 ]. IA was first proposed by psychologist Goldberg I. In 1996, Young confirmed that IA should be a true clinical psychological disorder [ 2 ]. IA was defined as the uncontrolled behavior of accessing the internet without substance, manifested as significant social and psychological impairment of individuals due to excessive use of the internet [ 3 ]. Although IA has not yet been formally incorporated into the framework of psychopathology, it is a potential problem both in terms of prevalence and public awareness, with many similarities to existing recognized barriers. Some studies have shown that IA may be related to abnormal activity in multiple brain regions and neurotransmitter systems, such as the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, ventral prefrontal cortex, striatum, and hippocampus [ 4 ]. The Anterior Cingulate Cortex is associated with cognitive control, impulse control, and attention regulation, and may play a role in regulating and controlling behavior in IA [ 5 ]. The amygdala is involved in emotional regulation and reward processing, and may play a role in emotional factors and reinforcement mechanisms in IA [ 6 ]. Symptoms of IA may include loss of control over internet use, preoccupation with online activities, neglect of personal responsibilities, and withdrawal symptoms when internet use is reduced or eliminated [ 7 ]. A range of negative consequences are associated with IA, including impaired social functioning, academic and work-related problems, and physical and mental health problems. Research has shown that IA is associated with symptoms of ADHD and depressive disorders [ 8 ].

In 2013, Internet gaming addiction (IGD) was first introduced by the American Psychiatric Association in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and nine diagnostic criteria for IGD were listed [ 9 ]. Although both IA and IGD are related to internet usage, IGD is a specific form of IA, which is addiction to internet games. Therefore, IGD is a subcategory of IA.

While cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and group therapy are common treatments for IA, it is true that there is a lack of data on their effectiveness. This is because research on IA treatment is still relatively new and ongoing. More research is needed to fully understand the most effective treatments for IA and how to tailor treatment approaches to individual needs. Research on IA treatment can help us determine which interventions are most effective for individuals with IA and improve prognosis. In the meantime, clinicians may use a combination of different treatments and strategies to help individuals with IA manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. This article summarizes the effects of different intervention models on IA and explores the relationship between intervention models and effects.

This study focuses on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as the research object. This study employed network meta-analysis methods to compare the effectiveness of different treatment methods for treating IA. This study aims to provide reference and evidence-based medicine data for clinical diagnosis and therapy by evaluating the impacts of various intervention models on IA and examining the relationship between various intervention techniques and treatment outcomes.

Materials and methods

Inclusion and exclusion standard.

Inclusion criteria: (1) Published studies on randomized controlled trials on IA, regardless of whether allocation concealment and blinding were mentioned in Chinese or English language; (2) Study subjects meeting one of two criteria: (a) Diagnosis criteria for IGD in DSM-5, Young's Diagnostic Questionnaire for IA, 1997 American Psychological Association Diagnostic Criteria for IA, or other clinical diagnostic criteria for IA; (b) A score of 40 or higher on either the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) or Chen's Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS) [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]; (3) Various scores from relevant internet addiction scales were used as evaluation indicators for the treatment effects of different intervention measures and their combinations; (4) Data extraction was limited to studies with full texts only.

Exclusion criteria: (1) Review systematic reviews; (2) Duplicate literature and non-peer-reviewed material; (3) Studies with outcome indicators that failed to meet the inclusion requirements or had apparent errors or omissions.

Search strategy

To identify studies that comply with the inclusion criteria, computer searches were performed in several databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Wanfang, and China’s National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). The databases were searched up to December 31, 2022, using a combination of controlled vocabulary and free text terms according to each database's search rules. The search terms included: Internet gaming addiction, electronic gaming addiction, online gaming, pathological internet use, addictive internet use, gaming disorder, internet addiction, excessive internet use, computer game addiction, internet dependence, efficacy, randomized, drug therapy, psychotherapy, antidepressants, cognitive behavior, randomized controlled, case–control, clinical trial, intervention, bupropion, methylphenidate, aripiprazole, sertraline, and fluoxetine. Two investigators independently conducted computer and manual searches, with a third expert consulted in the event of disagreement.

Data extraction

Two researchers independently conducted literature screening following the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The retrieved literature was imported into literature management software and initially screened by title and abstract after duplicate removal. This led to a thorough reading of the complete text and the final decision regarding inclusion. All data were cross-checked and extracted from the included literature and any discrepancies were resolved by consultation with a third party. The data extracted included basic information about the literature, intervention measures, and outcome indicators.

Quality assessment

Two researchers strictly assessed the quality of the included studies according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Randomized Trials. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0. The Cochrane Collaboration). The tool includes seven items: random sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding of participants and personnel, blinding of outcome assessment, incomplete outcome data, selective reporting, and other biases. Each item was assessed as "low risk," "unclear risk," and "high risk."

Statistical analysis

The network Meta-analysis package of Stata14.2 was used for network meta-analysis and drawing the network map, and RevMan5.4 was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. In the statistical process of network meta-analysis, since the outcome measurement indicators of the included studies were continuous data and the scale scoring methods of each study were different, the standard mean difference (SMDs) of different studies and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as the effect size to merge the results. First of all, the collected data is tested with the inconsistency model to check whether there is good consistency between the groups and the local areas. If there is consistency, the consistency model is used for further analysis of the data; if the inconsistency is significant, the consistency model cannot be used for subsequent steps. Then, the processed data were sorted using surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values [ 13 ], and all the processing results were summarized in a rank-heat map [ 14 ] to obtain the ranking of the therapeutic effects of various interventions. The SUCRA value refers to the area under the cumulative sequencing probability curve of an intervention, with the value ranging from 0 to 100%. League tables were also drawn to analyze pairwise comparisons between interventions, including SMD values and 95% confidence intervals. Finally, the funnel plot was drawn using Stata 14.2 to identify whether there was a small sample effect.

Literature search

A preliminary search yielded 809 English-language studies and 3012 Chinese-language studies. After reviewing the titles and abstracts, 383 articles remained; following a duplication check and full-text reading, 57 studies were finally included for the network meta-analysis, comprising 63 comparisons. The steps for literature retrieval are shown in Fig.  1 .

Steps of literature retrieval

Characteristics of the included studies

The characteristics of 57 included studies [ 3 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 ] are shown in Table 1 , which involved 13 interventions, including psychotherapy/CBT, group psychotherapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), placebo/non-intervention, health education, exercise therapy, electro-acupuncture, drug, EEG biofeedback, rTMS, rTMS + CBT, drug + others, and electro-acupuncture + CBT. A total of 3538 patients with IA were included, and all included studies had comparable descriptions.

Risk of bias assessment (Fig.  2 )

Bias risk assessment for included studies

Two reviewers strictly followed the recommended bias risk assessment tools in the Cochrane Handbook to assess the risk of bias for the included studies. For example, in terms of randomization methods, 22 studies were evaluated as "low risk" as they adopted randomized allocation methods such as random number tables, stratified randomization, and drawing lots. Another 28 studies only mentioned "randomization" without reporting specific randomization methods and were evaluated as "unclear risk." The remaining seven studies randomly assigned patients according to the admission order and were rated "high risk." All studies failed to report whether allocation concealment was performed and was rated as “unclear risk." Seven studies involved blinding and were rated as "low risk." All studies had complete data and were rated as "low risk." Other biases were not mentioned and were rated as "low risk."

• Network meta-analysis

Network figure

A total of 57 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reported the effectiveness of different interventions to treat IA, involving 13 interventions. The size of each node in the network diagram (Fig.  3 ) represents the sample size of the corresponding intervention, and the thickness of the lines that connect different interventions represents the number of studies comparing the two interventions.

Network figure about efficient evidence

Analysis result

Network meta-analysis was performed on the included studies, generating 78 pairwise comparisons with 95% confidence intervals for the SMD. Please refer to Table 2 for detailed information.

The results of the network meta-analysis showed that compared with the placebo/non-intervention group, drug + others (SMD = -2.26, 95% CI = -3.26 ~ -1.26), EEG biofeedback (SMD = -1.62, 95% CI = -2.28 ~ -0.95), rTMS (SMD = -1.22, 95% CI = -1.74 ~ -0.71) showed statistical significance in the treatment effect of IA. Compared to the health education group, drug + others (SMD = -4.25, 95% CI =—6.34 ~ -2.17), rTMS + CBT (SMD = -7.17, 95% CI = -9.82 ~ -4.53), electro-acupuncture + CBT (SMD = -3.24, 95% CI = -4.84 ~ -1.65), EEG biofeedback (SMD = -2.90, 95% CI = -5.73 ~ -0.08), rTMS (SMD = -3.36, 95% CI = -5.56 ~ -1.16), exercise therapy (SMD = -2.71, 95% CI = -4.78 ~ -0.64), group psychotherapy (SMD = -2.32, 95% CI = -4.35 ~ -0.30), psychotherapy/CBT (SMD = -2.40, 95% CI = -3.82 ~ -0.99), and MBCT (SMD = -1.90, 95% CI = -3.05 ~ -0.74) have been shown to be statistically significant in the treatment of IA. Compared to the psychotherapy/CBT group, rTMS + CBT (SMD = -4.77, 95% CI = -7.00 ~ -2.54), electro-acupuncture + CBT (SMD = -0.84, 95% CI = -1.58 ~ -0.10), reflect the difference in therapeutic effect compared to use CBT alone, combined physical therapy is essential for the curative effect. Similarly, drug + others (SMD = -2.12, 95% CI = -3.53 ~ -0.70) also showed statistically different advantages compared to interventions that only used drugs. Furthermore, compared to MBCT, psychotherapy/CBT group, psychotherapy, exercise therapy, electroacupuncture, rTMS, EEG biofeedback, and electroacupuncture + CBT, therapeutic efficacy in the rTMS + CBT group showed optimal differences, and the results were statistically significant ( p  < 0.05), which further demonstrating the unique therapeutic effect of rTMS + CBT. This combination of treatment modalities could provide a reference for the treatment of IA in the future.

In terms of efficiency, the ranking was rTMS + CBT > drug + others > rTMS > electro-acupuncture + CBT > EEG-biofeedback > exercise-therapy > psychotherapy/CBT > group-psychotherapy > drug > MBCT > placebo/non-intervention > electro-acupuncture > health-education. The specific rank order is shown in Table 3 , and the cumulative probabilities are shown in Fig.  4 .

Cumulative probabilities

Inconsistency test

The consistency of each closed-loop result was tested. Inconsistency factors (IF) showed p  = 0.4042, indicating good consistency. All local p  > 0.05, indicating good consistency among all groups.

Publication bias

The research was roughly symmetrically distributed on both sides of the midline, indicating that a small sample effect was less likely to exist as shown in Fig.  5 .

Funnel plot about the 14 interventions in the treatment of IA. A  placebo/non-intervention, B  health-education, C  MBCT, D  psychotherapy/CBT, E  group-psychotherapy, F  exercise-therapy, G  electro-acupuncture, H  rTMS, I  EEG-biofeedback, J  electro-acupuncture + CBT, K  rTMS + CBT, L  drug, M  drug + others

IA causes serious physical and mental distress and potential harm to people. Many scholars have investigated prevention and intervention measures for IA in recent years, resulting in various interventions. There have been relatively few studies on treating IA, and the effects of most treatments are limited. To investigate the efficacy, advantages, and disadvantages of different treatment methods used alone or in combination, this study conducted a network meta-analysis of the efficacy of 13 intervention methods. The ranking results showed that the top four intervention measures in terms of effectiveness were rTMS combined with CBT, drug combination with other treatments, rTMS, and electro-acupuncture combined with CBT. The rankings of various comprehensive treatments were also high, indicating that combined therapy can effectively improve the effect of IA compared to using a single intervention measure for treatment.

rTMS combined with CBT

Based on the efficacy ranking, both rTMS combined with CBT and rTMS alone achieved optimal treatment effects. Compared with all other interventions except for drug-combined comprehensive treatment, rTMS combined with CBT has shown statistical differences. rTMS is a physical therapy that generates a sequence of repetitive electromagnetic pulses through an electromagnetic coil. It can regulate cortical excitability by acting on specific cortical regions of the brain [ 71 ]. Numerous domestic and foreign studies have shown that rTMS has immense potential to treat substance dependence [ 72 ]. Studies have shown that rTMS treatment targeting the left or right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) can fully mobilize the cognitive regulatory capacity of the DLPFC, increase the excitability of cortical areas, and regulate activity by maintaining functional levels of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in various structures of the reward circuit [ 73 ]. Thus, people's cravings for the Internet will be reduced, and their addictive behavior will be curtailed. Furthermore, neuroimaging studies have also found that rTMS applied to DLPFC can effectively inhibit brain cortices related to addictive behavior and sensation, reduce the craving of participants with IA, improve their cognitive control and emotional regulation abilities, reward and cognitive control systems, and thereby reduce the craving and behavior in IA [ 74 , 75 ]. IA can significantly reduce the white matter integrity of DLPFC compared to normal individuals [ 76 ], similar to the changes observed in drug addiction. Excessive use of the internet can alter the reward and pleasure centers of the brain, making it difficult to quit addiction. rTMS can help regulate brain activity and reduce cravings related to IA.

Simultaneously, CBT is also a major intervention method for IA in psychotherapy, which is effective in many randomized controlled studies on IA [ 77 , 78 ]. The essence of CBT is to correct the cognitive dysfunction of patients with IA. Improving cognitive control ability may be the key to solving IA [ 79 ]. The results of the network meta-analysis demonstrated that rTMS combined with CBT treatment was more effective than rTMS or CBT alone. When people try to reduce or withdraw from online activities, IA can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Physical therapy interventions can help control these physiological and emotional withdrawal symptoms, making it easier for patients to receive psychological treatment. Therefore, people's desire for the internet will decrease and their addictive behavior will be restricted [ 80 ]. This could be attributed to the potential of combined treatment to simultaneously improve the physiological, psychological, and behavioral aspects of IA, thereby producing a cumulative effect for better outcomes.

Combination of medication and other therapies

Medication combined with other intervention measures, as a comprehensive intervention measure, demonstrates excellent efficacy, outperforming single medication therapy. Many experts believe that IA indicates impulse control disorders over the internet. This addictive behavior is classified as compulsive behavior [ 81 ]. Researchers suggest that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), as first-line drugs for treating obsessive–compulsive disorder, may also have optimal therapeutic effects on patients with IA. The results of our meta-analysis indicated that the efficacy of single drug therapy is only superior to that of the general intervention group, the placebo group, and the single electro-acupuncture group and is comparable to that of a single psychological treatment. However, when combined with psychological or physical treatment, it demonstrates excellent results and is statistically significant compared to single-medication therapy. This may result from medication therapy controlling anxiety and depression to a certain extent in IA patients. For IA patients with poor self-control and resistance to treatment, applying medication first to stabilize the patient's emotions and then using psychological or physical treatment can further improve their depressive and anxious symptoms and cognitive function, thereby reducing their craving for the internet. Additionally, combined therapy can reduce the adverse effects of the long-term use of single medications and improve treatment safety, resulting in better outcomes.

Electro-acupuncture and CBT combined treatment

We also noticed that the combination of electro-acupuncture and CBT treatment had achieved unexpected results. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of application in mental illnesses, such as using electro-acupuncture to treat depression and sleep disorders. Studies have demonstrated that electro-acupuncture can promote the recovery of neurons in the affected brain area [ 82 ]. The acupoints used in acupuncture can increase blood flow or induce electrical potentials in specific brain regions [ 83 ]. As a commonly used treatment in traditional Chinese medicine, Electro-acupuncture therapy has gained recognition in treating modern addictive behaviors. The combination of electro-acupuncture and CBT treatment was shown to significantly reduce the addiction level and related clinical symptoms of IGD patients. fMRI is increasingly being used to study the mechanism of acupuncture. Previous studies have confirmed that acupuncture and moxibustion can regulate the structure and function of the brain regions of drug addicts and can regulate the functional connection between the reward and habit systems of IA [ 84 ]. Therefore, the regulatory effect of acupuncture on the brain area of network addiction patients may be a potential mechanism of acupuncture in-network addiction. Both electro-acupuncture and cognitive-behavioral therapy have significant positive effects on network-addicted adolescents. Both treatment methods effectively improve network addiction patients' psychological experience and behavioral expression. However, electro-acupuncture is more effective than psychological therapy regarding impulse control and neuron protection. This advantage may be related to increased NAA and CHO levels in the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex [ 82 ]. The combination of electro-acupuncture and psychological interventions (cognitive-behavioral therapy, group, psychological therapy combined with individual psychological therapy) can alleviate the mental symptoms, sleep quality, and impulse characteristics of network addiction patients [ 85 ]. Its mechanism may be related to increased brain sensory perception gate function. Psychological intervention can help relieve the fear of electro-acupuncture and improve the treatment effect, as acupuncture is an exogenous stimulation that usually accompanies pain. Combining CBT with electro-acupuncture treatment has shown superior results compared to using acupuncture alone, suggesting a synergistic effect between electro-acupuncture and CBT. In summary, combining electro-acupuncture and CBT can achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Other interventions

Compared to comprehensive treatment, we have observed that the following five interventions, namely health education, electro-acupuncture, place/non-intervention, MBCT, and drug treatment, have relatively lower effectiveness. We believe this may be attributed to the following reasons. Health education often focuses on encouragement, comfort, and providing knowledge related to IA, but it fails to address the deep-rooted inner struggles of patients and alleviate their dependency on the internet. Therefore, health education is generally less effective in most cases. As for electroacupuncture treatment, studies have shown that IA patients often experience strong withdrawal reactions during the initial stages of treatment, such as restlessness, palpitations, and irritability. As an acupuncture treatment, electroacupuncture may cause swelling and heaviness at the treatment site, and discomfort may persist for a period of time after the needles are removed and gradually subside. Consequently, the compliance and expectations of most patients are not high, resulting in mediocre therapeutic effects of using electroacupuncture alone.

MBCT, as a mindfulness and meditation-oriented treatment method, has been shown in research to reduce craving for IA by improving the understanding ability of IA patients, improving loneliness in IA, and reducing heart rate and cortisol levels [ 23 ]. However, due to the impulsive personality traits of most addiction patients, many individuals are unable to calm their minds and fully engage in the understanding and experience provided by MBCT therapy. Therefore, relying solely on MBCT treatment is ineffective.

The use of drugs alone also fails to achieve better therapeutic effects, mainly because in simple applications of drug therapy, common SSRIs such as sertraline, which selectively inhibit the reuptake of serotonin by central neurons, leading to an increase in serotonin concentration, have slow-acting effects and are associated with side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort. Consequently, patients have low long-term medication tolerance and poor treatment effectiveness. Moreover, the cognitive function of patients is still insufficient in medication-only treatment [ 3 ]. On the other hand, combination therapy and comprehensive treatment can reduce the adverse reactions caused by long-term medication use, enhance treatment safety, and improve treatment effectiveness. Therefore, a single treatment approach may not be able to address all the issues, and personalized comprehensive treatment plans should be developed based on the unique characteristics of each patient during clinical treatment to ensure compliance and treatment effectiveness.

IA is a complex multifactorial disorder with numerous physiological, psychological, and social elements. A single treatment plan can have difficulty addressing all issues, while a comprehensive therapy can integrate the advantages and disadvantages of various treatments and take targeted measures. Although the findings of this study confirm the safety and feasibility of electro-acupuncture + CBT therapy for IA, there are still some limitations. Due to time constraints, the long-term efficacy of the subjects has not been observed, and the effectiveness assessment was based on clinical scales. Therefore, it is possible that subjects may have concealed some information during the measurement.

(1) Most of the studies were conducted by Chinese researchers. (2) The literature on rTMS combined with CBT treatment and drug combinations with other treatments included in this study was limited.

The results of our study show that, although all treatments were slightly more effective than placebo/non-intervention and health education in treating IA patients, rTMS + CBT had the best therapeutic effect in treating IA patients with different interventions, followed by drugs combined with other treatments, followed by rTMS and electro-acupuncture + CBT. This proves the unique role physical therapy, specifically rTMS therapy, plays in treating patients with IA. Comprehensive intervention can achieve better therapeutic effects than using drugs or psychotherapy alone by combining drug therapy, physical therapy, and psychotherapy. Comprehensive intervention improves the physical, psychological, and behavioral aspects of patients with IA by combining the benefits of various methods.

Availability of data and materials

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.

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Provincial Education Department Natural Science Key Project (grant number: 2022AH051512), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders Open Grant (grant number: 13dz2260500), Bengbu Medical College key Laboratory of Addiction Medicine (29–3).

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School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, 233030, China

Yuqiong Zhu, Junda Li & Wenjuan Wang

School of Second Clinical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China

Haihan Chen

School of Qian Xuesen College, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shanxi, 710049, China

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Zhu, Y., Chen, H., Li, J. et al. Effects of different interventions on internet addiction: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry 23 , 921 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05400-9

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The Internet is increasingly interconnected with the society; the tendency is to increase this connection over time as a work tool, a vehicle of communication, as a form of entertainment and socialization. Despite the multiplicity of potentialities, a set of problems related to addictive and dysfunctional Internet use may also arise. Internet addiction is a pertinent problem that can lead to significant damage at the social, psychological, relational, and academic levels, among others. The interest of researchers and health professionals in studying the problem of Internet addiction is growing, particularly in the last two decades. This chapter provides an overview of the problem, discussing conceptualizations and terminologies, types, and consequences of addiction. Data on the prevalence of populations at greatest risk of addiction (adolescents and young adults) are presented. It is also address the main risk and protection factors, namely, personal, family, and social. In conclusion, a set of guidelines for the management of online behaviors by young people, families, and school organizations is suggested.

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Preventing and Combating Internet Addiction: A Concept Review

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Acknowledgements

The work of Inês Relva is funded by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., under the Scientific Employment Stimulus – Institutional Call – CEECINST/ 00127/2018 and by national funds through FCT under the project UID04045/2020.

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Department of Education and Psychology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal

Ana Paula Monteiro, Inês Carvalho Relva & Margarida Simões

Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Vila Real, Portugal

Inês Carvalho Relva

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Monteiro, A.P., Relva, I.C., Simões, M. (2023). Internet Addiction. In: The Palgrave Handbook of Global Social Problems. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68127-2_4-1

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Essay on Internet Addiction | Internet Addiction Essay for Students and Children in English

February 14, 2024 by Prasanna

Essay on Internet Addiction: The origins of the Internet can be traced back to the 1960s. Over the last 60 years, technology has improved in such strides that it seems virtually unrecognizable today to what it was when it started. No other invention has evolved at a pace as fast as this. The Internet gives us access to the entire world for anything and everything. If one has access to the Internet and enough money, there can be no need for any individual to step out of the house whatsoever. As much as it has connected us to the world, it has also isolated us.

What’s worse is that now there exists a phenomenon of ‘internet addiction.’ Which is an unhealthy addition to a world already struggling with addictions as it is. And just like any other addiction, it has its fair share of negative consequences and problems that can affect a person physically and mentally.

You can also find more  Essay Writing  articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Long and Short Essays on Internet Addiction for Students and Kids in English

As of recently, internet addiction has become a global problem among people of all ages. Not just the youth but also children. They sit in front of the screen on social media, chatting, or video games. Using the Internet in excess can be destructive for the person and even fatal.

While the Internet is a great tool and can be used to make life easier, it is essential to check how much time we spend. It is harmful when individuals make their whole lives revolve around the Internet.

The Internet is also filled with dangerous people, and it can therefore cause people to get isolated from their family and friends and influence individuals to make wrong decisions. It is crucial to regulate internet usage, and parents and guardians must be careful and aware of their children so that they don’t develop an over-dependence on the Internet.

Short Essay on Internet Addiction 350 Words in English

Short Essay on Internet Addiction is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Internet addiction has become a new age addiction that has gripped people around the world. People belonging to different age groups suffer from this addiction, though it’s more prevalent among the youth. People access the Internet to kill boredom, find a way out of loneliness, or simply to have some fun in their lives. However, before they know it, they are hooked to it.

The Internet is a massive entertainment and engagement source, and it’s hard to resist the addictive things it offers. However, it’s essential to regulate internet use to ensure that it has not become an addiction. Like any other addiction, this one too has grave consequences. It can have a severe impact on a person’s neurological functioning. People can lose their sense of time and bearing and neglect their family, friends, and even their work and responsibilities.

Many internet addicts develop anxiety issues and depression. This hampers their personal and professional growth. Their physical health also deteriorates. They can incur health problems like obesity, heart condition, and hypertension. To live a balanced life, it is essential to be careful of one’s internet usage and to have the self-control not to let it take over your life.

Introduction

The number of internet users worldwide is increasing drastically, and with every passing day, the number of internet addicts is also rising. The Internet can be a very alluring place. Video games, chat rooms, social media platforms, entertainment videos, engrossing web series, and interesting blogs can keep an individual hooked for hours. People begin to use the Internet to beat loneliness and tedium and end up attached to it within no time.

Smart Phones and Internet Addiction

Around a decade ago, when the Internet could only be accessed on the desktop or a laptop, web usage was limited. Many were still excessively using it, but it was not as bad as it is now. The introduction of smartphones has given the rates of internet addiction a boost. People are seen glued to their screens wherever they go. This becomes worse as work is done on screen as well. And in these times, you need this technology for getting an education as well.

Internet addicts forget to eat, complete essential tasks, and ignore their loved ones. All they need is a high-speed internet connection and a tool to access it. This is more than enough to consume all their attention throughout the day.

Internet addiction is a severe disorder that affects a person’s ability to think rationally. Even though internet addicts often know the harmful consequences of this addiction, they do not make much effort to beat it. This often results in severe problems like depression, anxiety, and other psychological disorders.

Read More: Social Media Essay 250 Words

Internet Addiction Essay 400 Words in English

The Internet is one of the world’s most important sources of data that is used worldwide. People from across the globe communicate with one another through the Internet. Whether it’s watching a movie or catching up with an old friend, the Internet has made everything easier. It has also made us more productive and has made life so much easier.

It is hard to pinpoint precisely what causes internet addiction. But it is known that it can be easily compared to other types of addictions with the sort of dependency it causes. Internet addiction is a more recent phenomenon, and the causes can vary with gender, age, and personality.

Causes of internet addiction

Social circles play a critical role in causing behavioral issues like addiction. Internet addiction is no exception, as constant internet surfing has become commonplace among the youth. There is even an encouragement to seek friends online while playing online games, chat rooms, or just on social media.

The Internet can also become a coping-mechanism for self-soothing and as an escape for those who are suffering from mental health issues and such. The same way that people who suffer from depression or anxiety use alcohol and drugs to self-medicate, the Internet can be a distraction. Be it by playing video games, watching shows, or merely surfing forums.

An addition to the last point is that emotions and thought patterns have a huge role to play when it comes to addictions being developed. Those that desire an evasion from real life or a distraction from problems go to the Internet for emotional support. When an individual finds this sort of support only on the Internet and not in real life, it becomes an addiction. Introverts or are shy and do not have social skills can also develop an internet addiction. They find that it is easier to interact with people online than in person. It is also that easy for people to fabricate their identities and scam people like those who are naïve.

People get addicted due to the dopamine high that internet surfing can give. A person who receives this only from the Internet and nowhere else can very quickly be addicted. All of us need to be careful with our internet usage and dependency. Regulation or completely cutting it off can sometimes be the answer.

Long Essay on Internet Addiction 800 Words in English

Long Essay on Internet Addiction is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

People around the world are now having the issue of compulsive internet usage. They spend hours and hours on end on the Internet knowing that it does not benefit and is simply a waste of time. They make no effort to change this even though they know that it is harmful and can become an addiction. This lack of self-control can be hazardous, just as any other addiction is. People who are addicted to the internet face mental and physical issues, which can end up being fatal and end a person’s life prematurely.

Internet Addiction and the Youth

Internet addiction is more prevalent among youngsters. They end up scrolling on social media or forums or other websites, watching videos, shows, chatting, or shopping online. Time on the Internet may have begun as very minimal but ends up taking hours and hours of a person’s day as the usage increases. As they grow addicted, other responsibilities at home or studying are neglected. This can affect a person’s education and even inhibit their social growth.

When social skills are not allowed to be built, they do not know how to function in society anymore. They are unable to interact with people in real life normally due to this. They can also develop social anxiety. They prefer friends online who can very easily be dangerous individuals scamming them and negatively influencing them. They can be groomed inappropriately or end up stealing and losing money. When their education is affected, it hampers their future, and they spend no time developing skills that can build their careers. Spending all the time online can cause health issues if they do not exercise or go out.

It is also regrettable that parents hand their children iPads to distract them. From a young age, the children begin to develop a dependency on the Internet. Even while eating, the children gravitate towards the screen to watch something. Another sad development is the fact that now smartphones and laptops are essential for education. Notes, lectures, and all resources can be found online. If all a student’s time studying and relaxing is spent online, there is no time to be present in real life.

In the same manner, many young working professionals also fall prey to the same problem. Their time is wasted on the Internet when they should concentrate on furthering their careers and networking. Internet addiction has an adverse effect on young people today and presents a genuine danger for their future.

Consequences 

Internet addiction can have extremely harmful consequences. It can deteriorate one’s ability to function normally in society and affect them physically and mentally. It can cause various types of disorders and problems. Here are some examples of the same.

Mental Health

Constant use of the Internet reduces the brain’s capacity to grasp and understand new things. It drastically affects one’s attention span. The addicts have a continual desire to get back on the screen and surf regardless of what work is pending. It affects productivity and can cause behavioral issues.

It can also induce mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. An excellent example of this is anxiety caused by doomscrolling. It can also cause paranoia.

Social well-being

As mentioned before, individuals spend more time online than offline, which hampers social skills growth. Individuals no longer know how to interact and function normally in society. And the lack of such skills results in more avoidance, which furthers the problem and does nothing to solve it. It can lead to a feeling of isolation and even depression.

Physical Health

When all of a person’s time is spent on the Internet, and no time is spent walking around and going out, they develop an unhealthy sedentary lifestyle. This can cause obesity and cardiac issues. They can even become overweight, putting them at risk for stroke, diabetes, and such illnesses.

Withdrawal Symptoms

An obvious indication that spending time on the Internet is becoming an addiction is withdrawal symptoms. Individuals begin to feel restless, angry, and irritated when offline. The Internet becomes a crutch that they cannot live without. This causes stress and anxiety, and the emotional outburst caused by not accessing the Internet can be disturbing. It can be harmful to people around as there have been incidents where people had murdered family members when the internet connection was cut off.

Internet Addiction Essay Conclusion

People must be careful not to let internet usage get this bad and get help if it does develop into an addiction. It should not be taken lightly, and we must be careful so that we can lead healthy lives.

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Should i go back to school reasons the answer might be yes, survey reveals high cost of course materials stops students from success, internet addiction among university students. essay examples.

The issue of internet addiction among university students has been a subject of recent studies. The Youngs internet addiction test (YIAT) is commonly used for measuring levels of internet addiction, categorizing it as normal, mild, moderate, or severe based on scores. Factors associated with internet addiction in university students include depression, social anxiety, substance use, and various socio-demographic elements such as age, sex, and academic performance. The studies also explore the relationship between time-related factors and internet usage, examining how these variables interact with students’ internet addiction levels. The data collection for these studies often involves self-administered questionnaires, covering a wide range of topics from personal habits to academic information​.

Key Aspects and Points

Introduction

• Hook: Start with a startling statistic or fact about internet addiction among university students.
• Background Context: Provide context about the increasing reliance on the internet in university settings.
• Thesis Statement: Outline the focus of the essay, which could be examining the causes, effects, and potential solutions for internet addiction among university students.

Body Paragraphs

• Discuss factors such as academic pressure, social connections, and accessibility of the internet that contribute to addiction.
• Describe how internet addiction impacts academic performance, mental health, and social relationships.
• Explore if certain demographics are more susceptible and how the university environment may exacerbate this issue.
• Briefly compare internet addiction with other forms of addiction to highlight unique challenges and similarities.
• Propose potential solutions, including university policies, counseling services, and student-led initiatives.
• Summary: Recap the main points discussed, reiterating the significance of each.
• Restate Thesis: Emphasize the thesis in light of the arguments made.
• Closing Thoughts: Offer final thoughts on the future implications of internet addiction in academia and potential areas for further research or action.

Suggested sources and references:

• Arifin, S., Kamaruddin, S. H., Azlan, S. C., Nawi, R. M., Arifin, J., & Muhammad, H. (2023). The Prevalence of Internet Addiction among University Students in Malaysia. In International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences . International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v13-i11/19268
• Su, Y., Li, D., & Ding, N. (2023). The effect of stress on internet addiction among university students: the mediating role of self-control. In Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences . Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.54097/ehss.v15i.9284
• Kabadayı, S. Y., Kabadayı, F., & Avcı, M. (2023). A Path Analysis of Contact Styles, Relationship Satisfaction, and Internet Addiction among University Students. In International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies . International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies. https://doi.org/10.52380/ijpes.2023.10.1.816
• Nadarajan, S., Hengudomsub, P., & Wacharasin, C. (2023). The role of academic procrastination on Internet addiction among Thai university students: A cross-sectional study. In Belitung Nursing Journal (Vols. 9, pp. 384-390). Belitung Nursing Journal. https://doi.org/10.33546/bnj.2755
• Mahmoud, M. S., El-Awady, M. Y., Boulos, D., & Gabal, H. M. S. (2023). Internet Addiction among a Sample of Ain Shams University Students: A Cross Sectional Study. In QJM: An International Journal of Medicine . QJM: An International Journal of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcad069.695
• Çimşir, E., & Akdoğan, R. (2023). Inferiority feelings and internet addiction among Turkish University students in the context of COVID-19: The mediating role of emotion dysregulation. In Current Psychology (New Brunswick, N.j.) (pp. 1-10). Current Psychology (New Brunswick, N.j.). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04661-7
• Salarvand, S., Albatineh, A. N., Dalvand, S., Karimi, E. B., & Gheshlagh, R. G. (2022). Prevalence of Internet Addiction Among Iranian University Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. In Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking . Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2021.0120
• Soliman, E., Allabun, S., Algenaimi, E., Aldhuwayhi, R., Almutairi, A., Al-warthan, S., & Cordero, M. The relationship between alexithymia and internet addiction among university students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries . International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries. https://doi.org/10.24911/IJMDC.51-1601559603

Suggested reading:

• Association, M., & Resources, I. (2019). Internet and Technology Addiction: Breakthroughs in Research and Practice . IGI Global. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=PJGbDwAAQBAJ&source=gbs_api
• Maruish, M. E. (2017). Handbook of Psychological Assessment in Primary Care Settings . Routledge. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=7Z-8DgAAQBAJ&source=gbs_api
• Young, K., & Ph.D., . (2016). Internet Addiction Test (IAT) . Stoelting. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=vaRaDwAAQBAJ&source=gbs_api
• Bozoglan, ., & Bahadir, . (2017). Psychological, Social, and Cultural Aspects of Internet Addiction . IGI Global. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=-Ow_DwAAQBAJ&source=gbs_apiChen, G., Kumar, V., Kinshuk, ., Huang, R., & Kong, S. C. (2014). Emerging Issues in Smart Learning . Springer. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=Vbx_BAAAQBAJ&source=gbs_api

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Essay on Internet Addiction

Students are often asked to write an essay on Internet Addiction in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Internet Addiction

Introduction.

Internet addiction is a growing problem globally. It refers to excessive use of the internet, leading to negative impacts on a person’s life.

The main cause of internet addiction is the desire for online social interaction and entertainment. Online games, social media, and websites can be very engaging.

Internet addiction can lead to poor academic performance, lack of social skills, and health issues like eye strain and obesity due to physical inactivity.

It’s important to balance internet usage with other activities. Parents and teachers can help by setting limits and promoting healthy habits.

250 Words Essay on Internet Addiction

The advent of the internet has revolutionized human existence, providing limitless opportunities for learning, communication, and entertainment. However, this unprecedented access to information and connectivity has birthed a new form of dependency – internet addiction.

Understanding Internet Addiction

Internet addiction, also known as compulsive internet use, is characterized by excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, urges, or behaviors regarding computer use and internet access. It is a psychological disorder that can lead to severe stress, anxiety, and a variety of other mental health problems.

Causes and Effects

The causes of internet addiction are multifaceted, ranging from the need for social interaction, escapism, or the thrill of exploring virtual realities. The effects, however, can be detrimental, leading to academic failure, job loss, and the breakdown of personal relationships.

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention is always better than cure. Encouraging healthy internet usage habits, promoting physical activities, and fostering real-life social interactions can help prevent this addiction. However, once addicted, professional help may be necessary. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has proven effective in treating internet addiction by helping individuals to identify and change patterns of thought that lead to compulsive behaviors.

In conclusion, while the internet has undoubtedly brought about vast benefits, it has also introduced new challenges. Internet addiction is a growing concern that requires our attention. By understanding its causes and effects, we can develop strategies to prevent and treat this modern-day affliction.

500 Words Essay on Internet Addiction

Internet addiction, also known as compulsive internet use, has emerged as a significant issue in the digital age. It is a psychological condition that involves excessive use of the internet, resulting in negative impacts on an individual’s life.

Internet addiction is characterized by an individual’s inability to control their use of the internet, which eventually interferes with their daily life, work, and relationships. It is not merely about the amount of time spent online but the obsession with internet activities to the point where it affects mental and physical health, personal relationships, and productivity.

Causes and Symptoms

The causes of internet addiction can be multifaceted. It can be a symptom of other underlying mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and stress disorders. The anonymity, ease of access, and perceived environment of acceptance and escape the internet offers can also contribute to its addictive potential. Symptoms may include preoccupation with the internet, inability to control online use, neglect of personal life, and emotional changes such as restlessness or irritability when internet use is limited.

Impacts of Internet Addiction

Preventing internet addiction involves promoting healthy internet use. This can be achieved by setting time limits, taking regular breaks, and promoting a balanced lifestyle with physical activities and offline social interactions. Treatment for those already addicted often involves cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps individuals identify problematic behaviors and develop coping strategies. In severe cases, medication may also be used under professional supervision.

In conclusion, internet addiction is a growing concern that requires attention. As we continue to embrace digital technology, it is crucial to promote healthy internet use and provide help for those struggling with addiction. It’s a call to action for researchers, mental health professionals, and society as a whole to understand and address this modern-day issue effectively.

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A study of internet addiction and its effects on mental health: A study based on Iranian University Students

Javad yoosefi lebni.

1 Health Education and Health Promotion, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

Razie Toghroli

2 Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran

Jaffar Abbas

3 Antai College of Economics and Management/School of Media and Communication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai-China

Nazila NeJhaddadgar

4 Department of Health Care Services and Health Education, School of Health, Ardabil University of Medical Science, Ardabil, Iran

Mohammad Reza Salahshoor

5 Department of Anatomical Sciences, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

Morteza Mansourian

6 Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Hadi Darvishi Gilan

Neda kianipour.

7 Students Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

Fakhreddin Chaboksavar

Seyyed amar azizi, arash ziapour, introduction:.

The Internet has drastically affected human behavior, and it has positive and negative effects; however, its excessive usage exposes users to internet addiction. The diagnosis of students' mental dysfunction is vital to monitor their academic progress and success by preventing this technology through proper handling of the usage addiction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This descriptive-analytical study selected 447 students (232 females and 215 males) of the first and second semesters enrolled at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2018 by using Cochrane's sample size formula and stratified random sampling. The study applied Young's Internet Addiction Test and Goldberg General Health Questionnaire 28 for data collection. The study screened the data received and analyzed valid data set through the t -test and Pearson's correlation coefficient by incorporating SPSS Statistics software version 23.0.

The results of the current study specified that the total mean score of the students for internet addiction and mental health was 3.81 ± 0.88 and 2.56 ± 0.33, correspondingly. The results revealed that internet addiction positively correlated with depression and mental health, which indicated a negative relationship ( P > 0.001). The multiple regression analysis results showed students' five significant vulnerability predictors toward internet addiction, such as the critical reason for using the Internet, faculty, depression, the central place for using the Internet, and somatic symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS:

The study findings specified that students' excessive internet usage leads to anxiety, depression, and adverse mental health, which affect their academic performance. Monitoring and controlling students' internet addiction through informative sessions on how to use the Internet adequately is useful.

Introduction

In recent years, technological advancements have taken place in the modern world. In the complexity of today's world, internet use is playing a vital role in educational institutions to attain different learning skills, which have become a necessity for university students. However, scholars have shown concerns about the excessive use of this technology and the hidden risk factors of internet users, such as physical and mental health.[ 1 , 2 ] The Internet is an easy and quick medium of interaction to gain the required information for communication with others around the world. However, a lack of control over excessive internet use can disturb individuals' living standards and relationships between family members, and it can bring instability of feelings.[ 3 , 4 ] The users of the Internet have increased incredibly worldwide, with the peak of a digital industrial revolution in progress, and new technological revolution will undoubtedly create new problems and predicaments.[ 4 , 5 ] The history of internet users goes back some decades at present. The Internet has become one of the most fast-growing and transformative technologies. Globally, the users of the Internet have increased from 414 million in 2000, 665 million in 2002, and over 4.574 billion by December 31, 2019. The US National Science Foundation specified that the internet users enabled by smartphones access would increase to 5 billion in 2020.[ 6 , 7 ] In recent years, internet users in Iran have grown dramatically. According to the reported statistics, the Iranian users of the internet have risen from 11.0 million in 2006, 33.0 million in 2002, and over 62 million by July 1, 2019. Hence, the users of the Internet in Iran have increased drastically over 25 times, and recent research conducted in Iran indicated that the young population makes up the majority of internet users.[ 8 ] Previous research specified that the Iranian users devote 35% of their time to chat rooms, 28% to online games, 30% to checking E-mails, and 25% to surfing the net on averages, while connected to the Internet. Besides, another study reported that Iranian users spend 52 min/week as an average time, while linked to the Internet.[ 9 ]

Internet addiction disorder, pathological internet use, or problematic internet use typically refers to the questionable or compulsive use of the Internet, which results in substantial impairment in the function of individuals in their different life domains over prolonged time. Internet addiction and other relationships based on the usage of digital media and mental health are vital considerable research fields, arguments, and discussions among numerous experts and researchers in various disciplines. This addictive behavior has made controversy from the areas of scientific, medical, and technological communities. Internet addiction is an interdisciplinary phenomenon, and different researchers have investigated it from different perspectives from various disciplines, such as medicine, computer science, sociology, law, and psychology.[ 10 ] Some scholars have considered internet addiction as a social crisis, and it has attracted the attention of different researchers and experts. This phenomenon is a biological, psychological, social, economic, and cultural problem, which is impossible to be taken into account as a simple matter because different factors influence it.[ 11 ] The excessive and pathological use of the Internet refers to internet addiction.[ 6 ] Therefore, with the growing number of internet users and its widespread psychological and sociological implications, it is necessary to determine and recognize the contribution of predictive factors in internet addiction. By conducting pathological studies about internet addiction to judge the addictive behaviors, it would enable us to utilize this technology with a balanced approach better and more usefully.[ 12 ] Internet addiction generally refers to a type of applying the Internet, which leads to psychological, social, educational, or occupational problems in a person's life.[ 13 , 14 ] Scholars have described this phenomenon as internet addiction dysfunction[ 15 ] and the problematic application of the Internet,[ 16 ] or habitual use of the Internet,[ 17 ] which determines it as one of the forms of behavioral addiction.[ 18 ] Researchers have also described internet addiction as “the modern addiction.” In practice, this type of addiction is true dependency, like drug addiction and other kinds of dependency. Although this kind of dependency does not have the somatic problems of chemical addiction, its resultant social problems are like other types of addiction.[ 1 ] In the 2015 World Statistics report, the number of internet users and the population of countries were specified; it was reported that the total world population was 7,264,623,793, of which 3,079,339,857 were using the Internet, and the young made up the majority of users.[ 8 ] While taking into account many points of proper and practical use of the Internet and prevention of mental illness, these reported statistics underscore the importance of the Internet and social networks. Internet addiction is an etymological process of using the Internet that creates a psychological state in which the user's behavior is disturbed, thereby leading to a dysfunction in his/her cognitive status.[ 19 ] Mental health is one of the main pillars of healthy human societies, which plays a vital role in ensuring the dynamism and efficiency of any society. As university students are among the most prestigious layers of societies, they present future builders in any country, and newly arrived students in universities from far-away cities are the first who fall victim to internet addiction. The mental health of the students is essential for raising their learning and scientific awareness.[ 19 ] Mental health is a concept that reflects our thinking, feelings, and functioning in dealing with various life situations.[ 20 ] In this modern world, the disease patterns are shifting toward no communicable diseases, and the rising rate of mental dysfunction and the resultant costs imposed on societies have attracted the attention of health promotion specialists.[ 8 ] In this regard, the Global Burden of Disease statistics has introduced mental illnesses as one of the three primary causes of lost years of life due to disability.[ 21 ] According to the WHO, mental health is defined as one's ability to communicate with others harmoniously; modify the personal and social environment; and resolve conflicts and personal preferences logically, fairly, and appropriately.[ 22 ] Besides, the statistics announced by the WHO reported that 52 million people of different age groups suffer from severe illnesses worldwide and 250 million have mild mental dysfunction. In Iran, these statistics are not lower than those in other countries.[ 23 ] The results of the epidemiological studies conducted to examine psychiatric dysfunction in Iran are indicative of the variability of the prevalence of dysfunction between 11.9% and 30.2%.[ 24 , 25 ]

Concerning internet addiction, addressing the problems of individuals' mental health is of great importance. An earlier study conducted by Fallah reported that depression was more prevailing among internet users with addictive behavior as compared with average internet users. The finding specified that individuals having internet addiction showed anxious behavior and their mental health was more exposed to higher risks.[ 23 ] Lashgarara et al . described that 34% of university students had addictive behavior to the Internet based on the Young's categorization.[ 26 ]

In a previous study, Fonia et al . reported that students' mental health and internet addiction showed a negative relationship, and their internet addictive behavior was not significant. It was different from the students' gender and marital status variables.[ 27 ] Another study of Nastizai claimed that students' internet addiction developed a higher risk of mental health than ordinary users of the Internet.[ 28 ] Fonia et al . reported that there was a significant difference between internet addiction among male and female students.[ 27 ] Similarly, the relationship between internet addiction and users' mental health received more considerable attention, and previous studies have emphasized this matter, such as the investigations of Fallah Mehneh,[ 29 ] Alavi et al .,[ 30 ] Mirzaian et al .,[ 31 ] and Taheri Mobarakeh et al .[ 32 ] The tendency of using the Internet among students is higher, and they are more vulnerable to the risk of internet addiction. Thus, more attention to students' mental health needs should be considerable paid for their future as well as the development of the nation.[ 22 , 25 ] Universities need to pay attention to boosting students' mental health, personal growth, and well-being. Because internet addiction prevails worldwide, it also exists in Iran for several years, and young individuals have shown greater engagement toward internet use, while students make up the majority of internet users. The excessive use of the Internet leads to psychological injury, mental health damage, and other health problems. Experts have suggested necessary measures to prevent internet addiction among students and treat disorders and health problems where appropriate.[ 33 ] The present research emphasized investigating internet addiction and its effects on the mental health of medical students at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, and its findings provide valuable insights.

Materials and Methods

This descriptive-analytical study selected 447 students (232 females and 215 males) of the first and second semesters enrolled at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, in 2018 (May 2017–October 2018) by applying Cochrane's sample size formula and stratified random sampling methods. This method draws the statistical population according to the hierarchy of the types of population units. The study applied Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) for data collection. The study screened the data received and analyzed valid data set through the t -test and Pearson's correlation coefficient by incorporating SPSS Statistics software version 24.0. Hence, the authors randomly selected nine faculties (medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical medicine, nursing and midwifery, paramedics, public health, nutrition sciences, and food industries, and self-governing college). In the next step, we selected majors and classes from each faculty (as many as the number of research samples) and evaluated the data. The inclusion criterion was the right to choose the courses freely, and the investigators have excluded incomplete questionnaires from the study. Besides, we assured participants about the confidentiality of the collected information and lack of disclosure of their personal information. Besides, the ethical principles employed in the present study included critical steps, such as obtaining the necessary permits, retaining the right for the schools under investigation to either accept or reject to participate in the research study, and ensuring confidentiality and nondisclosure of agreement. The investigators distributed the questionnaires among the target respondents. The authors explained the objectives of the present study to the target individuals and obtained informed consent from all participants before to execute the research. Not to mention, the exclusion criteria were the sample's disinterest in participating in the study and handing over incomplete questionnaires.

Demographic questionnaire

The first section of the self-administered instrument contained the demographics and comprised questions on gender, age, marital status, place of residence, faculty, education, having a personal computer, central location, and time of using the Internet, and the primary reason for using the Internet.

Internet Addiction Test

Young developed this 20-item scale for measuring the internet addiction, which affects a variety of aspects in users' lives.[ 17 ] The study applied the Persian translation of Young's IAT developed by Alavi et al .[ 30 ] The questions showed the scores on a selected 5-point Likert scale (5 = always, 4 = usually, 3 = most of the time, 2 = sometimes, and 1 = seldom). The ranges of minimum and maximum scores showed 20–100. The scores divided internet users into the following three groups: typical users indicating a score of 20–49; at-risk users, specifying a score of 50–79; and the internet users having an addiction with a score of 80–100. The highest scores represent the highest levels of students' dependency on the Internet, which leads to addictive behavior. Recent studies evidenced that a score of 50 or above shows internet addiction. Besides, this study confirmed the questionnaire's validity from three experts by applying the content validity index (0.84), while the survey confirmed reliability through the t -test (0.88). The Cronbach's alpha provided a satisfactory value (0.87) with a sample of twenty medical students within 2-week process of data collection. The findings of the reliability and validity of this instrument/tool are consistent with the results of previous studies, which indicated over 90%.[ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]

The General Health Questionnaire

This prospective study used GHQ-28 for gathering data.[ 39 ] The study screened the data received and analyzed valid data set through the t -test and Pearson's correlation coefficient by using the SPSS Statistics software version 24.0. The self-reported Goldberg's 28-item questionnaire examines the individual's mental health in the recent month and includes symptoms such as abnormal thoughts and feelings and aspects of visible behavior. This questionnaire consists of the following four subscales: somatic symptoms (questions 1–7), anxiety (questions 8–14), social dysfunction (questions 15–21), and depression (questions 22–28). Each subscale contains seven questions that measure the various aspects of mental health, ranging from somatic to psychological dysfunction.[ 39 ] The questions presented scores with a 4-point Likert scale (0 = not at all, 1 = average, 2 = more than average, and 3 = far more than average). The minimum and maximum ranges illustrated 0–84, which showed categories into four levels of mental health, for instance, normal (0–22), weak (21–40), balanced (41–60), and severe (61–84). The highest ratings/scores represented the lowest level of students' mental health status. The study examined and confirmed the questionnaire's reliability for each section by using content validity (0.80). The sought the opinion from three experts by using the content validity index (0.80) and confirmed reliability through several tests, such as test-retest (0.87). The study calculated the Cronbach's alpha (0.93) value from the sample of twenty medical students. The results derived from the tests of reliability and validity of this instrument are in line with the findings of previous global studies, which specified the same results.[ 9 , 40 , 41 , 42 ]

The study applied descriptive statistics (percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics ( t -test and Pearson's correlation coefficient) to analyze the data received by using the SPSS Statistics software (version 23.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), and applied required analysis at the statistical significance level of 0.05 ( P < 0.01).

Ethical consideration

This study is the part of the research project (IR.KUMS.REC.1397.108, No. 97056) sponsored by the Deputy of Research and Technology from Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The authors maintained all the protocols before performing all the procedures engaged in this study involving human participants in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

The total population comprised of 447 participants in the present study, including 215 male (48.1%) and 232 female (51.9%) students. The average age of the respondents under investigation was 23.47 ± 4.58 years, and the majority of respondents' age ranged between 19 and 24 years (69.6%). Concerning the marital status, there were 360 single participants (80.50%) in this population. The second majority of the study indicated bachelor's degree students (202 students or 45.20%), and the majority of the discipline was a school of medicine (71 students or 15.90%). The majority of the dormitory students comprised 48.30% (216/447). The study findings specified that 356 students possessed their computers (356/447 = 79.60%), and the number of students using the Internet at their dormitories comprised 205 respondents (205/447 = 45.90%). The results indicated that the majority of the students used the Internet either in the morning or in the evening (367/447 = 82.10%).

The main reason for using the internet application was chatting with friends and family members. The mean and standard deviation of students with internet addiction was 3.81 ± 0.88. Besides, the mean and standard deviation of students' mental health was 2.56 ± 0.33, which stated that the general mental health of students was not in good condition. Regarding the mental health of the students' sample, the study results indicated that the highest and lowest rates showed linkage to depression with a mean and standard deviation of 2.84 ± 0.21 and somatic dysfunction with a mean and standard deviation of 2.16 ± 0.79, respectively, as indicated in Table 1 . This specific study applied the Pearson's correlation coefficient to determine the relationship between the students' internet addiction and mental health. The results of the correlation matrix demonstrated that they did not statistically significantly correlate with each other ( P < 0.001, r = 0.052). The study results specified that students' depression and somatic symptoms had the highest ( P = 0.001, r = 0.166) and lowest ( P > 0.001, r = 0.006) relationships with internet addiction, as indicated in Table 2 .

Internet addiction and mental health scores for different genders

The results of Pearson’s correlation coefficient between internet addiction and mental health among students

**Correlation was significant at the 0.01 level (two tailed)

The present study aimed to investigate internet addiction and its effects on the mental health of medical students at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. The results of the present study demonstrated that 45.5% of students at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences were addicted to the Internet. This finding was concurrent with the results of studies conducted by Farhadinia et al .,[ 43 ] Sepehrian and Jokar,[ 44 ] Fonia et al .,[ 27 ] and Dargahi and Razavi.[ 45 ] Those who use the Internet more than others can replace stronger relationships in real life with low-quality social relationships, thereby resulting in more loneliness and depression. To further explicate the matter, the Internet may serve as a substitute for lives without vitality. Loneliness and isolation may cause people to spend more time on the Internet, thereby decreasing the quality of their social relationships.

As for the demographic characteristics, the results demonstrated that there was a significant difference between male and female students in terms of internet addiction. In addition, 23% of male students were internet addicts, which exceeded that of female students by 22.4%. In this study, male students should be given priority in prevention programs for internet addiction. These results were consistent with the results of studies conducted by Alavi et al .,[ 30 ] Orsal et al .,[ 46 ] and Fonia et al .,[ 27 ] whereas inconsistent with the results of studies performed by Atashpour et al .[ 47 ] and Shahbazirad and Mirderikvand.[ 48 ] Male students seem to have more internet addiction than girls. In fact, the present research, in line with the findings of previous studies, shows that men are more exposed to internet addiction, not because of biological differences between the two genders, but due to different social and environmental factors to which each gender is exposed. According to the results, it seems that this finding can be an alarm at the increase in this disorder among students, and it is better that proper planning be done in this area in cooperation with university officials.

Based on the results of the present study, the mean score of male students' mental health was higher than that of female students, and no significant difference was seen between gender and mental health. However, the finding of the present study was consistent with the results of studies conducted by Taji and Verdinejad,[ 49 ] Namdar et al .,[ 50 ] and Imani et al .[ 51 ] In studies done by Asadi et al .,[ 52 ] Gorgich et al .,[ 9 ] Fonia et al .,[ 27 ] and Xu and Liu,[ 23 ] it was expressed that female students had more mental disorders than male students, which was inconsistent with the results of the present study. It should be noted that the mean score of male students' mental health was higher than that of female students, possibly due to men's ability to communicate with others in the society and university, the ability to deal with problems and difficulties, and the ability to earn money, as well as women's excessive emotional dependency on their families and lack of social security in the society.

The results of this study revealed that half of the students had poor mental health, and there was a significant difference between the mean scores of depression and internet addiction. These results were consistent with the results of studies done by Nastizai,[ 28 ] Anderson et al .,[ 12 ] and Chung and Wong.[ 53 ] In a study done by Abdollahi on nursing students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, it was shown that 32.1% of students had suspected mental disorders, which was 29.7% in women and 34.3% in men.[ 54 ] In addition, Rafiei and Mosavipour showed that 67.9% of students at Arak University of Medical Sciences had symptoms of mental disorders, and only 32.1% of them had normal mental health.[ 55 ] Similarly, Masoudi et al . concluded that 52.4% of students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences were suffering from mental health disorders.[ 56 ] Similarly, in a study done by Yavarian et al . on students at Uromia University of Medical Sciences, it was demonstrated that 45.8% of students had different degrees of mental health disorders. In their study, it was also revealed that 10%, 0.5%, and 3.2% of students had severe disorders in terms of somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, and depression, respectively. This finding was concurrent with the results of the present study.[ 57 ] It seems that the different prevalence of psychiatric disorders in various studies can be attributed to several factors, including the differences in groups under study.

The results revealed that internet addiction and mental health were negatively related, which was consistent with the results of studies conducted by Shahbazirad and Mirderikvand,[ 48 ] Fallah Mehneh,[ 58 ] and Mousavomoghadam et al .[ 59 ] Hosseini et al . showed that 4.2% of students at Payam Noor University of Charm had severe addiction to the Internet. In addition, a significant relationship was observed between internet addiction and mental health.[ 60 ] Similarly, in a study performed by Farhadinia et al ., it was demonstrated that internet addiction and mental health significantly correlated among the students of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences,[ 43 ] which seems to lay the groundwork for the internet addicts. Some people resort to the Internet to reduce their depression. In this case, the Internet may provide a substitute for the joyless lives of depressed people, or they may get depressed as a result of internet addiction. In other words, the internet addicts will experience the negative consequences, such as depression.

In justifying the relationship between depression and internet addiction, it can be expressed that the excessive use of the Internet can lead to social isolation and depression through reducing familial, social, and local connection. Therefore, depression may occur as a result of internet addiction, and in this case, the internet addicts experience the resultant negative consequences, such as depression.[ 28 ]

The results revealed that the five major predictors of vulnerability to internet addiction in university students were as follows: the key reason for using the Internet, faculty, depression, the main place for using the Internet, and somatic symptoms.

Limitations of the study

Concerning the limitations, this study evaluated medical students in the classrooms based on different groups. The discussions among students could present bias in their feedback. There was no face-to-face interview session, and the data set reported on a self-reported questionnaire, which increases the risk of social desirability biases among medical students of medicine, dentistry, and pharmaceutical departments at self-governing Education Incubator of Kermanshah, Iran. The limitations of the current study specify that researchers can consider a large sample size based on medical students as well as other departments to execute their investigations in western part of Iran. Scholars can find experimental and longitudinal methods with larger samples to examine different results.

Conclusions

According to the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that students' excessive use of the Internet leads to depression, anxiety, and reduced mental health, thereby affecting their academic performance. Hence, it is suggested that further monitoring and control be exercised on how the Internet is used by university students, and they should be informed of the detrimental effects of this technology in the case of misuse or overuse. The findings of the present study are also indicative of the significance of preventative measures in the form of educational and counseling programs for students regarding the proper and practical use of the Internet. In addition, addressing the issues and problems relating to communication technologies, such as the Internet, can lay the groundwork for proper education and instigate parents' and families' further attention to proper and effective use of the Internet.

Financial support and sponsorship

Conflicts of interest.

There are no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgments

The authors hereby bestow their gratitude to the students in the for-profit Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Paramedics, Nursing and Midwifery, Paramedicine, Nutrition Sciences and Food Industries, Public Health and Self-Governing College in Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences for their participation in the present study.

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The Internet has made life a lot easier by making information more accessible to all and creating connections with different people around the world. However, it has also led a lot of people to spend too much time in front of the computer, so much so that it becomes the center of their lives. This can lead to an Internet or computer addiction .

Computer/Internet Addiction Symptoms, Causes and Effects

An Internet or computer addiction is the excessive use of the former or the latter. The latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) actually includes it as a disorder that needs further study and research. In a publication on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website, the study, which was conducted by the Department of Adult Psychiatry in the Poland Medical University, showed that Internet addiction was seen to be quite popular and common among young people, especially those who were only children. In fact, every fourth child is addicted to the Internet. This is an alarming statistic that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

Are There Different Types of Computer or Internet Addictions?

Internet or computer addictions manifest in several ways that cover various degrees and areas of Internet usage. They are the following:

• Information overload. Too much online surfing leads to decreased productivity at work and fewer interactions with family members.
• Compulsions. Excessive time spent in online activities such as gaming, trading of stocks, gambling and even auctions often leads to overspending and problems at work.
• Cybersex addiction. Too much surfing of porn sites often affects real-life relationships.
• Cyber-relationship addiction. Excessive use of social networking sites to create relationships rather than spending time with family or friends may destroy real-life relationships.

These are the most commonly observed types of Internet addiction. If you or someone you know is suffering from this kind of addiction, you don’t have to face it on your own. We can help you. Just call at any time to speak to one of our trained advisors.

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What Causes an Addiction to Computers or the Web?

Whenever Internet addicts feel overwhelmed, stressed, depressed, lonely or anxious, they use the Internet to seek solace and escape. Studies from the University of Iowa show that Internet addiction is quite common among males ages 20 to 30 years old who are suffering from depression .

Certain people are predisposed to having a computer or Internet addiction, such as those who suffer from anxiety and depression. Their lack of emotional support means they turn to the Internet to fill this need. There are also those who have a history of other types of addiction, such as addictions to alcohol, drugs, sex and gambling. Even being stressed and unhappy can contribute greatly to the development of a computer or Internet addiction. People who are overly shy and cannot easily relate to their peers are also at a higher risk of developing a computer or Internet addiction.

What Are the Signs of an Online Addiction Problem?

An addiction to the Internet is manifested in both physical and emotional symptoms; however, these specifics may vary for each person. These are basically warning signals that an addiction may be developing. If you feel that you or a loved one has these symptoms, it is not yet too late. All it takes is a phone call to and we can help you.

Emotional Symptoms of Online Addiction

The following symptoms are typical of online addicts:

• Feelings of guilt
• Euphoric feelings when in front of the computer
• Unable to keep schedules
• No sense of time
• Defensiveness
• Avoiding doing work

Physical Symptoms of Online Addiction

The following symptoms are characteristic of someone who uses the computer for a very long period of time:

• Weight gain or loss
• Disturbances in sleep
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Blurred or strained vision

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of an Online Addiction

The short-term effects of an online addiction include unfinished tasks, forgotten responsibilities and weight gain. Long-term effects are seen more in the physical symptoms such as backache, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and vision problems from staring at the screen. It can also lead to bankruptcy, especially if the time spent online is focused on shopping , gambling and gaming .

According to Oberlin College of Computer Science, aside from being dependent on the Internet, addicts may develop technostress wherein they internalize how a computer works, such as accelerated time and perfect results. It can also cause social withdrawal, feeling more at ease interacting with people online rather than in person.

Is There a Test or Self-Assessment I Can Do?

A lot of studies and surveys are being conducted to measure the extent of this type of addiction. Dr. Kimberly S. Young has created a questionnaire based on other disorders to assess levels of addiction. It is the Internet Addict Diagnostic Questionnaire or IADQ. Answering positively to five out of the eight questions may be indicative of an online addiction. Here are the questions:

• Are you preoccupied with using the Internet? Do you think about your previous or future online activity?
• Do you have the need to be online longer to be satisfied?
• Have you made repeated but unsuccessful attempts to cut back, stop or control your Internet use?
• Do you become moody, restless, irritable or depressed when you stop or decrease your Internet use?
• Is your time spent online longer than what you originally planned?
• Did your online use negatively affect a significant relationship, education, career or job?
• Do you conceal the extent of your Internet usage from your therapist, family or others?
• Does the Internet serve as an escape from problems or relief from a bad mood?

Medication: Are There Drug Options for Internet/Computer Addictions?

These addictions may be triggered by underlying emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety, so medications used for those conditions can be given in the hope that treating the underlying cause will cause a cessation of the Internet or computer addiction. These medications are antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs.

Drugs: Possible Options

When the addiction gets out of control, medications are sometimes needed to keep Internet addicts from harming themselves by staying online too long. Escitalopram is a drug option that has been shown to be effective for Internet addiction, according to studies by Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Medication Side Effects

As with all other medications for psychological disorders, taking a medication for online addiction may cause adverse side effects. It’s important to consult with your doctor regarding any potential side effects prior to starting any medication.

Antidepressant Drug Addiction, Dependence and Withdrawal in Online Addicts

Taking an antidepressant for an online addiction may also lead to dependence on this medication. Withdrawal from an antidepressant should always be gradual and under medical supervision as is done with people who are being treated for depression .

Medication Overdose

The taking of medications should always be monitored and dispensed by a qualified health professional. Overdose of these medications may lead to further complications and can be extremely harmful.

Depression and Online Addiction

Depression is seen to be a risk factor and cause for online addiction. Treating depression may lessen the chance that an online addiction will occur.

Dual Diagnosis: Online Addiction and Substance Abuse

An Internet addiction and substance abuse often go hand in hand with each other. Most of the time, those who abuse alcohol or drugs are those with the predisposition to get addicted to the Internet as it serves as a means of escape from reality.

A study from Swansea and Milan Universities shows that when Internet addicts go offline or stop using the computer, they experience withdrawal symptoms similar to those experienced by drug addicts. This shows that these addictions are often interrelated.

Getting Help for an Internet Addiction

Any addiction is no laughing matter. It affects not only the addict but also everyone who surrounds them. If you think you need help for internet or computer addiction , or someone you know needs assistance to stop this addiction, we can help. Just call . We are here to help you get back on the road to an addiction-free life.

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