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

Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell.

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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.

Dresp-Langley B, Hutt A. Digital addiction and sleep .  IJERPH . 2022;19(11):6910. doi:10.3390/ijerph19116910

American Psychiatric Association. Internet Gaming .

Young KS, de Abreu CN. Internet Addiction: A Handbook and Guide to Evaluation and Treatment . New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc.; 2011.

Holoyda B, Landess J, Sorrentino R, Friedman SH. Trouble at teens' fingertips: Youth sexting and the law .  Behav Sci Law . 2018;36(2):170-181. doi:10.1002/bsl.2335

Jorgenson AG, Hsiao RC, Yen CF.  Internet Addiction and Other Behavioral Addictions .  Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am . 2016;25(3):509-520. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2016.03.004

Reid Chassiakos YL, Radesky J, Christakis D, Moreno MA, Cross C. Children and Adolescents and Digital Media . Pediatrics . 2016;138(5):e20162593. doi:10.1542/peds.2016-2593

Musetti A, Cattivelli R, Giacobbi M, et al. Challenges in Internet Addiction Disorder: Is a Diagnosis Feasible or Not ?  Front Psychol . 2016;7:842. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00842

Walrave M, Heirman W. Cyberbullying: Predicting Victimisation and Perpetration . Child Soc . 2011;25:59-72. doi:10.1111/j.1099-0860.2009.00260.x

Gámez-Guadix M, De Santisteban P. "Sex Pics?": Longitudinal Predictors of Sexting Among Adolescents . J Adolesc Health. 2018;63(5):608-614. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.05.032

Hilgard J, Engelhardt CR, Bartholow BD. Individual differences in motives, preferences, and pathology in video games: the gaming attitudes, motives, and experiences scales (GAMES) . Front Psychol. 2013;4:608. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00608

Alavi SS, Ferdosi M, Jannatifard F, Eslami M, Alaghemandan H, Setare M. Behavioral Addiction versus Substance Addiction: Correspondence of Psychiatric and Psychological Views .  Int J Prev Med . 2012;3(4):290-294.

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2013.

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. 

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.

The US Surgeon General recommends that social media come with a warning about its impact on children’s mental health.

Turning off your phone notifications is good for you and your kids. Try intermittent phone fasting for a few days and see if you agree!

Criticisms of evidence suggesting causal relationships between social media and mental health problems have some scientific merit, but clinically are wide of the mark.

Experts are warning that the problem of out-of-control technology continues to grow in alarming ways. Here are 8 ways parents can protect their children.

Anhedonia is the diminished ability to experience satisfying pleasures. The ability to experience healthy pleasures can be cultivated to restore overall well-being.

Dating apps are designed to help people find dates and develop long-term relationships. But they are also designed to keep users involved with the app.

Encouraging young adults to tell their stories may help heal the sense of disconnection technology and the pandemic have created.

Smartphones bridge global connections yet chip away at the essence, and the joy, of face-to-face interactions.

In a new study, teens report finding more benefits than harms online, yet they admit to feeling “happy” and “peaceful” when away from their smartphones.

Today, more teens are at peace and happier when they are detached from their devices. Here are 5 ways to help parents create a smartphone contract to manage screen time.

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Computer/Internet Addiction Symptoms, Causes and Effects Ad PsychGuides independently researches, tests, and reviews products and services which may benefit our readers. Where indicated by "Medically Reviewed by", Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. If you buy something through our links, or engage with a provider, we may earn a commission.

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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Essay on Effects Of Internet Addiction

Students are often asked to write an essay on Effects Of 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 Effects Of Internet Addiction

Introduction.

The internet is a powerful tool for knowledge and communication. But, like all tools, it can be misused. When people use the internet too much, it can lead to internet addiction. This is a serious problem that can affect people’s lives in many ways.

Physical Health Problems

Mental health issues.

Internet addiction can also cause mental health issues. People can feel anxious or depressed if they can’t use the internet. They may also feel lonely or isolated, even when they are online all the time.

Negative Impact on Studies

Students who are addicted to the internet often find it hard to focus on their studies. They may spend too much time online and not enough time on their schoolwork. This can lead to poor grades and trouble at school.

250 Words Essay on Effects Of Internet Addiction

Internet addiction: an overview.

Internet addiction is a problem that can affect anyone, especially young people. It is like a disease that makes people spend too much time online, ignoring other important things in life. This essay will look at the effects of internet addiction.

The Impact on Health

One of the major effects of internet addiction is on our health. People who are addicted to the internet often sit in front of screens for many hours. This can lead to problems like bad eyesight, headaches, and even obesity. They may also have problems sleeping because they spend late nights online.

Effect on Relationships

Internet addiction can also harm relationships. People addicted to the internet may spend less time with family and friends. They may prefer to chat online rather than talk to people face-to-face. This can make them feel lonely and isolated.

Impact on Studies

For students, internet addiction can affect their studies. Instead of focusing on homework or reading books, they might be busy playing online games or surfing social media. This can lead to poor grades and a lack of interest in learning.

Emotional Effects

Lastly, internet addiction can lead to emotional problems. People can become anxious or depressed if they cannot be online. They might also feel stressed or angry when they are not connected to the internet.

500 Words Essay on Effects Of Internet Addiction

The meaning of internet addiction.

Internet addiction is when a person cannot stop using the internet for long periods. It is a problem when it starts to affect a person’s daily life, health, relationships, and school work. Just like how some people get addicted to alcohol or drugs, others get addicted to the internet.

One of the main effects of internet addiction is on a person’s physical health. When people spend too much time on the internet, they often forget to take care of their bodies. They might skip meals, not get enough sleep, or stop exercising. This can lead to health problems like obesity, eye strain, and poor posture. For example, sitting in front of a computer for many hours can cause back and neck pain.

Internet addiction can also lead to mental health problems. People who spend a lot of time online might start to feel anxious or depressed. They might feel lonely, even when they are talking to people online. They might also have trouble focusing on tasks, which can affect their performance at school. In severe cases, they might even have thoughts of suicide.

Impact on Relationships

Academic performance.

Internet addiction can also affect a person’s school performance. If a student is spending too much time online, they might not have enough time to study or do homework. They might also find it hard to concentrate in class because they are thinking about what is happening online. This can lead to poor grades and a lack of motivation to learn.

Remember, the internet can be a useful tool, but like anything else, it should be used in moderation. It’s important to take breaks, get plenty of exercise, and spend time with friends and family in the real world. This can help to maintain a healthy balance and prevent internet addiction.

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Internet Addiction as a Teenage Issue

Internet addiction (IA) is one of the leading contemporary issues affecting teenagers in modern settings despite heightened assessment, screening, and testing to solve it. The Internet is continuously evolving to enhance life, and it is gradually becoming an aspect of human progress. However, teenagers suffer the adverse effects of spending substantial time on the Internet. Accordingly, IA is a significant concern due to its negative impact on the youth. For instance, teenagers addicted to the Internet demonstrate irritation and negligence of duties. As a result, most of the victims experience depression, low self-esteem, and emotional instability. This paper evaluates Internet addiction as an issue affecting teenagers today and assesses the causes, assessment tools, and support options.

Foremost, external stressors driven by societal triggers contribute to teenager IA. Peer pressure is one factor, which pushes teens to Internet dependence by influencing an individual’s body image perception. Friends pursue their peers to spend most of their time online admiring their role models who motivate them to focus on physical appearance. Besides, family issues also drive them to social media as an escape route. Teens in families which experience constant conflicts tend to suffer from IA disorders (Schneider et al., 2017). Exposure to school demands exacerbates their situation concerning Internet use. Thus, stressful academic and social needs compel young people to depend on the Internet for relief.

To combat the issue, physicians use evidence-based assessment strategies to screen external stressors for IA in adolescent patients. Leading examination models include the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) developed to evaluate Internet compulsion’s presence and degree (Poli, 2017). IAT consists of 20 items extracted from research and clinical studies, which identify possible addiction indicators. The Internet addiction scale (IAS) is a framework employed to assess compulsion aspects, such as obsession, withdrawal, tolerance deception, general impairment, and distraction (Poli, 2017). An additional question to include in the assessment tools is whether financial needs compel teens to spend most of their time on the Internet. Parents or guardians have the right to know about the money spent by their children, but it would be unethical to ask to explain what the teenagers do with the money provided. Availability of research-based assessment tools helps to assess IA stressors.

Therefore, support options concentrate on behavior change in adolescent patients with IA. According to Young (2019), The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) does not include the problem in its classification. Hence, social interventions include those used to treat similar conditions, such as gambling addiction. Therapy is a recommendable option to help adolescent patients with Internet compulsion. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a specific support tool, which clinicians can use to help victims adjust their Internet usage. Mihajlov and Vejmelka (2017) suggest that a participant can engage in timed therapy sessions concentrating on the interactive traits. Attending CBT meetings is an effective therapeutic approach to help patients confront mental predispositions which cause the problematic behavior.

In conclusion, IA is one of the leading issues experienced by teenagers today. Most victims demonstrate problematic behaviors, such as irritation, negligence, and subsequent depression or stress. Notably, IA is attributed to body image, family, and academic demand issues in teens. Hence, clinicians use IAT and IAS to screen and recognize the victims exposed to IA. Accordingly, timed CBT is a useful support tool, which can help adolescent patients modify their behavior and overcome addiction. Although IA remains a concern, appropriate interventions can help youths challenge it and adjust to normal behavior.

Mihajlov, M., & Vejmelka, L. (2017). Internet addiction: A review of the first twenty years. Psychiatria Danubina , 29 (3), 260-272. Web.

Poli, R. (2017). Internet addiction update: Diagnostic criteria, assessment and prevalence. Neuropsychiatry , 7 (1), 4-8. Web.

Schneider, L. A., King, D. L., & Delfabbro, P. H. (2017). Family factors in adolescent problematic Internet gaming: A systematic review . Journal of Behavioral Addictions , 6 (3), 321–333. Web.

Young, K. (2019). Internet addiction. Good Therapy. Web.

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Cause And Effect Internet

There has been a big percentage of people spending their time on the internet rather than spending time with their family, or friends. Internet use has been categorized as an actual disorder, and has been termed ‘Internet Addiction’ because of its similarity to addictions like smoking, drinking, and watching too much TV. There are several reasons and causes why people get addicted to the internet; boredom, loneliness, online TV, social networks, etc.

Essay Example on Effects Of Internet Addiction

They could be lonely in the way that they’re the only child, or they have no friends due to being home schooled, so they waste their time on the internet.

Or they could just be bored; they could be home alone, or it could be raining outside, and they can’t go out, so they stay in and surf the web. There are also a lot of social networks online like chat rooms, Facebook, Twitter, MSN, and more. People enter social networks to meet new people, and get into virtual online relationships.

Entering social networks can also relate to loneliness sometimes. Spending too much time on the internet can affect you very much. It can interfere with your social life, the addiction can lead to the inability to communicate in the real world, and your family bonding. You could have mixed feelings of guilt while at the computer, and it can also distract you from your work/school related work. And because of the lack of exercise and movement, obesity is a huge symptom.

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To some people, when you are not on the computer, you think about it frequently and anticipate when you will use it again. I suppose that if anyone is too addicted to the internet, they should maybe set an alarm clock for only 1-2 hours, to lessen their addiction. Or they could talk to their mothers, or guardians about it, or maybe get a therapist for some help, and try their best to think of all of the effects that could happen to them, and try to stop.

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Effects of Video Game Addiction

Video game addition is a serious problem in many parts of the world today and deserves more attention. It is no secret that children and adults in many countries throughout the world, including Japan, China, and the United States, play video games every day. Most players are able to limit their usage in ways that do not interfere with their daily lives, but many others have developed an addiction to playing video games and suffer detrimental effects.

An addiction can be described in several ways, but generally speaking, addictions involve unhealthy attractions to substances or activities that ultimately disrupt the ability of a person to keep up with regular daily responsibilities. Video game addiction typically involves playing games uncontrollably for many hours at a time—some people will play only four hours at a time while others cannot stop for over twenty-four hours. Regardless of the severity of the addiction, many of the same effects will be experienced by all.

One common effect of video game addiction is isolation and withdrawal from social experiences. Video game players often hide in their homes or in Internet cafés for days at a time—only reemerging for the most pressing tasks and necessities. The effect of this isolation can lead to a breakdown of communication skills and often a loss in socialization. While it is true that many games, especially massive multiplayer online games, involve a very real form of e-based communication and coordination with others, and these virtual interactions often result in real communities that can be healthy for the players, these communities and forms of communication rarely translate to the types of valuable social interaction that humans need to maintain typical social functioning. As a result, the social networking in these online games often gives the users the impression that they are interacting socially, while their true social lives and personal relations may suffer.

Another unfortunate product of the isolation that often accompanies video game addiction is the disruption of the user’s career. While many players manage to enjoy video games and still hold their jobs without problems, others experience challenges at their workplace. Some may only experience warnings or demerits as a result of poorer performance, or others may end up losing their jobs altogether. Playing video games for extended periods of time often involves sleep deprivation, and this tends to carry over to the workplace, reducing production and causing habitual tardiness.

Video game addiction may result in a decline in overall health and hygiene. Players who interact with video games for such significant amounts of time can go an entire day without eating and even longer without basic hygiene tasks, such as using the restroom or bathing. The effects of this behavior pose significant danger to their overall health.

The causes of video game addiction are complex and can vary greatly, but the effects have the potential to be severe. Playing video games can and should be a fun activity for all to enjoy. But just like everything else, the amount of time one spends playing video games needs to be balanced with personal and social responsibilities.

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Internet addiction in young adults: The role of impulsivity and codependency

Pierluigi diotaiuti.

1 Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino, Italy

Stefania Mancone

Stefano corrado, alfredo de risio.

2 Department of Human Studies, Communication, Education, and Psychology, Libera Università Maria SS. Assunta (LUMSA), Rome, Italy

Elisa Cavicchiolo

3 Department of Human, Philosophical and Educational Sciences, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy

Laura Girelli

Andrea chirico.

4 Department of Psychology of Development and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

Associated Data

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.

Excessive Internet use has demonstrated comorbidity with other psychological symptoms and psychiatric disorders, as well as impairments in the management of daily life, relationships and emotional stability. Recent findings in the literature have consistently supported the relationship between impulsivity and Internet addiction. The present study hypothesized that, in addition to impulsivity, a further predictor of Internet addiction might be relational co-dependency, which is also associated in the literature with addiction phenomena, but mainly substance addiction. This paper investigates the role and predictive weight of impulsivity and codependency on Internet addiction on a sample of young adult university students (n = 481) by using a hierarchical regression analysis. The participants were administered the UADI-2, the BIS-11 and the SFCDS. In terms of percentage distribution, 38 % of the participants were in the dependency range, while 37.7 % demonstrated Internet abuse behavior. The results confirmed the role of impulsiveness (β = 0.312) and added to the literature by showing the significant role of relational codependency (β = 0.275), gender (β = 0.174) and age (β = 0.196). Thus, male participants were more dependent, more impulsive and more co-dependent, with increasing age in the given range (18–30). The present study shed light to the presence of this issue among young adults and that, as a preventive and restraining measure, there is a need not only for targeted awareness-raising programmes but also for interventions to promote greater emotional control and a more balanced management of personal relationships.

Introduction

The Internet is one of the most widespread and accessible media for young people: chatting, role-playing, etc., are increasingly the routinary activities for them and the growing use of this media has led to the emergence of psychological problems linked to its possible maladaptive use in young people. The phenomenon of Internet abuse has been called by different names such as computer addiction, compulsive Internet use, Internet mania, problematic or pathological Internet use, and finally Internet Addiction (IA) ( 1 – 5 ). Young ( 6 ), Young and Rogers ( 1 ) bring Internet Addiction Disorder to the center of the scientific debate, shifting the diagnostic reference from substance-related problems to those found in pathological gambling problems (GAP) and in fact placing Internet addiction within impulse control disorders. Individuals with Internet addiction may lose control over their Internet use, resulting in impairments in the management of daily life, relationships and emotional stability ( 1 , 2 , 4 , 7 ).

A critical level is identified when the excessive Internet use impedes the management of the young individual's developmental activities and negative consequences come to light in an overt way (for example, decline in school performance, excessive limitation of outside activities, permanent conflicts with parents and friends, etc.) ( 8 – 11 ). When it happens, except the use of Internet, several other activities and interests are neglected, despite they are consciously perceived as significant, while individual continue to massively use the Internet despite the possible harmful consequences, a phenomenon known as “harmful consumption” ( 12 , 13 ).

Compared with the past, currently Internet abuse is classified not as an impulse control disorder ma as a (potential) addiction, i.e., the fact the tendency is to define addiction to specific online activities (as seen in section III of DSM-5 and ICD-11), rather than Internet addiction in general.

Currently, the main forms of addiction associated with the excessive use of Internet are: Cyber-relational addiction , characterized by an excessive tendency to establish friendship or love relationships with people met online, mainly via chat rooms, forums or social networks ( 14 ). In this condition, online relationships quickly become over-involving and individuals tend to neglect their relationships in presence with friends and family. Information overload , characterized by an obsessive search for information on the web: individuals spend increasing amounts of time searching for and organizing data on the web ( 15 ). Cybersexual addiction , which is characterized by compulsive use of pornography and virtual sex sites. Individuals usually download and use online pornography, engage in adult-only chats and may have compulsive masturbation ( 16 ). Offline gaming , characterized by a tendency to over-involve in virtual games that do not involve multi-player interaction and are not played over a network ( 17 ). Online gaming , in which excessive involvement and compulsive behaviors related to various online activities such as gambling, compulsive shopping, role-playing games are evident ( 18 , 19 ).

Excessive Internet use has been found to be in co-morbidity with other psychological symptoms and psychiatric disorders ( 4 ). Internet addiction has been found to be associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( 20 , 21 ), low self-esteem ( 22 ), shyness ( 23 ), depressive symptoms ( 1 , 23 – 26 ), hostility ( 27 , 28 ), interpersonal sensitivity ( 27 , 29 ), disturbances in relationships ( 30 , 31 ), obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) ( 20 , 24 , 25 ), and impulsivity ( 32 , 33 ).

Harmful Internet use, like substance abuse, triggers individuals' preoccupation with details, nervousness, irritability, aggression and impulsivity ( 4 , 34 ). Previous studies have also shown that obsessive-compulsive symptoms are associated with the severity of Internet addiction ( 20 , 24 , 25 ). Cao et al. ( 32 ) reported that adolescents with Internet addiction show increased impulsivity and have various comorbid psychiatric disorders, which may be associated with Internet addiction. For those with behavioral inhibition issues, the Internet can serve as an area where individuals can receive short-term rewards through gaming, surfing or social networking, and be reinforced by immediate gratification ( 7 , 35 ). A further study suggested that impulsivity can be considered as an endophenotype of addictive behavior ( 36 ). Impulsive individuals have problems in managing their behavior, showing recurrent failures to resist impulses to engage in a specified behavior and a feeling of lack of control while engaging in the behavior. A large body of the literature in this area concerns impulsiveness impacting the addictive tendencies ( 37 , 38 ). Consistent with this, recent findings in the literature have consistently supported the relationship between impulsivity and Internet Addiction ( 33 , 39 – 44 ).

Another construct that has been associated with addiction phenomena (predominantly substance addiction) is that of codependency. Codependency is often referred to as “relationship addiction”. It's an emotional and behavioral condition that interferes with an individual's ability to develop a healthy, mutually satisfying relationship. But over the years it's been expanded to include individuals who maintain one-sided, emotionally destructive, or abusive relationships ( 45 – 47 ). Researchers have identified several factors that are often linked with codependency: lack of trust in self or others; fear of being alone or abandoned; a need to control other people; chronic anger; frequent lying; poor communication skills; trouble making decisions; problems with intimacy; difficulty establishing boundaries; trouble adjusting to change; an extreme need for approval and recognition ( 48 – 50 ). The role of codependency among the variables associated with gambling disorder has been reported by Barrera-Algarín and Vázquez-Fernández ( 51 ). In contrast, an interesting contribution by Lu ( 52 ) recently illustrated the link between virtual community codependency and virtual community addiction: the virtual community codependency will need individuals to have a desire to derive compensation from the virtual community that cannot be achieved in the real world. If people in this community have similar needs, priorities, and goals, increasing the use of Facebook will lead to an increase in virtual community addiction. The author argues that codependency is a pattern of dysfunction in interpersonal relationships. According to the social compensation theory, if people feel insecurity and negative social identity in real life interpersonal networks, they may spend more time using virtual communities as compensation. Lu's study ( 52 ) tested and reported a direct impact of virtual community codependency on virtual community addiction. Furthermore, the increased use of Facebook when there is a sense of the ‘spirit of belonging together' can lead to increased tendency to virtual community addiction. In more general terms, Shishkov et al. ( 53 ) have first suggested a direct association between internet addiction and codependency, while, with reference to the set of patterns of thinking and behavioral characteristics of the codependent personality, Artemtseva and Malkina ( 54 ) pointed out that the codependents make cognitive errors about the consequences of their behavior in order to constantly protect themselves from uncertainty.

While the role of impulsivity has been widely analyzed in the literature of Internet Addiction, there is still a lack of studies that consider codependency as another possible factor associated to excessive Internet use. The present work had therefore the following objectives: evaluate the importance of Internet abuse and dependence in a sample of young adults, by also considering the gender of the participants; investigate the possible role of Impulsivity and codependency in explaining Internet Addiction. Other studies have confirmed for this age group the relationship between impulsivity and problems associated with various forms of addiction ( 55 – 59 ), and this can be even more true considering the important personal limitations in terms of mobility and relationships related to COVID-19 pandemic, which have not only solicited an increase in addictive practices ( 60 , 61 ) but also a deterioration in perceived safety in relationships with others, amplifying the compensatory search for codependent relationship patterns that Internet use can offer ( 62 – 65 ). On the basis of the literature presented hitherto, we hypothesized that relational codependency might be in young adults, in addition to impulsivity, a further significant predictor of Internet addiction.

Methods and materials

Participants.

Participants were recruited by forwarding an email to students enrolled at a university in central-southern Italy. This email defined the goals as well as the function of the study. Subjects were invited to enter a specific link found in the same notice, after which they filled in and posted the answers telematically and digitally. Participants were assured anonymity and also the use of information in aggregate type for research purposes. They also provided their written informed consent to participate in this study. The protocol was approved by the local university Institutional Review Board and tools administration took place in April and May 2020. A total of 1,500 emails were sent out. As far as the drop-out ratio is concerned, 86 participants dropped out after beginning to fill it in, therefore 481, including 219 (45.5 %) males and 262 females (54.5 %) with an average age of 21.79 and SD = 4.16 and age range 18–30, completed questionnaires were finally collected.

• - Uso-Abuso e Dipendenza da Internet [Internet use-abuse and addiction] (UADI-2), ( 66 ), assesses the psychopathological risk of Internet abuse and the psychological use that users make of the network (example items: “I happen to have flashbacks or disconnected thoughts during or after a long Internet connection”; “Sometimes I like to lie on the net”; “On the Internet I happen to look for erotic material or talk about sex”). The instrument measures the psychological and psychopathological aspects related to the use and abuse of the Internet and has been designed to be administered both off-line (by filling in the U.A.D.I. in paper form) and on-line (by filling it in via Internet). The instrument consists of 24 items that the person must answer on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Absolutely false for me) to 5 (Absolutely true for me). The UADI-2 allows scoring with reference to four dimensions: Dissociation (describes some dissociative symptoms as bizarre sensory experiences, de-personalization, de-realization, along with the tendency to alienation and estrangement-escape from reality), Impact on Real Life (contains items describing the real-life consequences i.e., any changes in habits, social relationships, mood as a result of continued Internet use), Addiction Symptoms (contains items that address some behaviors and symptoms of addiction, particularly with reference to gradually increasing linkage period, abstinence, compulsiveness, and hyperinvolvement), Identity and Sexuality (contains items describing manipulation of true personal identity online and the tendency to search for sexually oriented content). The scoring has three score ranges: up to 62, normal Internet use; 63–74, Internet abuse; over 74, Internet addiction. Cronbach's alpha for this study was 0.867.
• - Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 [BIS-11 ; ( 67 , 68 )] is a 30-item self-report questionnaire designed to assess general impulsivity taking into account the multifactorial nature of the construct. The structure of the instrument allows the assessment of six first-order factors (attention, motor, self-control, cognitive complexity, perseverance, cognitive instability) and three second-order factors: attentional impulsivity, motor impulsivity (motor and perseverance), unplanned impulsivity (self-control and cognitive complexity). Example items: “I do things without thinking”; “I act on the spur of the moment”; “I often have extraneous thoughts when thinking”. The person is asked to respond regarding how often he or she generally (not referring to a specific time interval) acts and thinks similarly to the items on the scale. The total score is obtained by summing up the first and second order factors. The items are distributed on a four-point scale (Rarely/Never = 1, Occasionally = 2, Often = 3, Almost Always/Ever = 4). In the present study, the Italian version by Fossati et al. ( 68 ) was used. Cronbach's alpha for this study was 0.835.
• - Spann-Fisher Codependency Scale [SFCDS; ( 69 )]. Codependency is referred as a dysfunctional pattern of relating to others with an extreme focus outside of oneself, lack of expression of feelings, and personal meaning derived from relationships with others. The tool is an unidimensional 16-item 6-point scale, ranging in score from 16 to 96 with higher scores reflecting codependency (example items: “It is hard for me to make decisions”, “I don't usually let others see the “real” me”, or “When someone upsets me I will hold it in for a long time, but once in a while I explode”). The mean Spann-Fischer co-dependency score is approximated with a midpoint of 52.6, a “high” score of 67.2 and a “low” score of 37.3 suggested by Fischer, Spann, and Crawford ( 69 ). The codependent person puts a lot of effort into satisfying the needs of others, constantly trying to be helpful and organizing others' lives, losing sight of and disregarding their own needs. For the purposes of this study, we obtained an Italian version of the questionnaire through back-translation procedures. We performed an exploratory factor analysis (Maximum Likelihood, promax rotation) on The Italian Spann-Fischer Codependency Scale items. Our results revealed a one-dimensional structure. A test for internal consistency and item-total correlations confirmed that excluding one poor functioning item, best preserved the reliability of the questionnaire, and we therefore decided to exclude it from the final Italian version. After this adjustment, the scale consisted of 15 items and showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.820).

Statistical analysis

Descriptive analyses (percentages, means, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis, confidence intervals); t -test for comparison of scores with respect to gender; Pearson's bivariate correlations; testing of univariate and multivariate regression assumptions; and hierarchical regression were conducted.

Descriptively, 38.0% ( n = 183) of the sample were in the range of Internet addiction (with a mean score on the UADI-2 > 74). The 27.7% ( n = 133) of the sample were found to be in the Internet abuse range (with a mean score between 63 and 74). The remaining 34.3% ( n = 175) were in the normal range of Internet use. Significant differences emerged, however, in relation to gender. Amongst males, 45.2% ( n = 99) were addicted to the Internet, while 30.1% ( n = 66) had Internet abuse behavior. Among females, 32.1% ( n = 84) were addicted, while 25.6% ( n = 67) abused the Internet. These differences were more specifically highlighted in Table 1 where the t -test comparisons between the two groups and the respective breakdowns in the range of full dependency, abuse and normal Internet use are shown.

Differences in the level of Internet addiction with respect to gender of participants.

In Table 2 below it can be seen that the level of male dependence was higher both in terms of the overall score and in relation to the subscales of Dissociation, Identity and Sexuality and Impact on Real Life, while the manifestation of Addiction Symptoms did not significantly differ between genders ( p > 0.05).

General and specific dimensions of Internet addiction with respect to gender of participants.

Table 3 below presents the descriptive statistics of all the variables used in the study.

Descriptive statistics of the variables.

SE, Standard Error; SD, Standard Deviation.

Table 4 below shows the bivariate correlations between the measures used in the study. It can be seen that there were significant associations with both the Codependency scale (0.347 ** ) and the Impulsivity scale (0.349 ** ). More specifically for the latter measure, Internet Addiction reported correlations with the subscale of the Attentional Impulsiveness (0.379 ** ) and Motor Impulsiveness (0.365 ** ), while the association with the subscale of non-planning was not significant.

Bivariate correlations.

** Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed). * Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed).

For Age Spearman's correlation has been used. Pearson's for the other variables.

In order to identify predictors of Internet addiction, a hierarchical regression was performed on the variables of Codependency and Impulsivity. The preliminary verifications of the regression assumptions excluded the presence of multivariate outliers. Mardia's multivariate kurtosis index (62.33) was in fact below the critical value [ p ( p + 2) = 99]; therefore, the relationship between the variables can be considered substantially linear. Low co-linearity was indicated by the low variance inflation factor (VIF) values <2 and high tolerance values > 0.60. For verification of the assumptions on the residuals, the average between the standardized and raw residuals was equal to 0; the Durbin–Watson test had a value of 1.96 and was therefore indicative of the absence of autocorrelation.

A hierarchical multiple regression was run to determine if the addition of Codependency, Impulsivity, Age, and Gender improved the prediction of the Internet Addiction. The full model resulted statistically significant, R 2 = 0.289, F(4,480) = 48.119, p < 0.001; adjusted R 2 = 0.283.The regression model included Codependency and Impulsivity at step 1, Age at step 2, Gender at step 3. The results of the hierarchical multiple linear regressions are presented in Table 5 . In the regression model, with Internet Addiction as outcome variable, Codependency and Impulsivity jointly explained a 22% portion of the outcome variability. Adding Age at the second step provided a significant improvement in the explained variance, which reached 26%. By adding Gender at the third step, the explained variance further significantly increased to 29%. Standardized beta values were significant. with a positive sign for Codependency, Impulsivity, Age, and a negative sign for Gender. The order reflects the relative importance assigned to each predictor. Since this study intended to give special emphasis as a predictor to codependency, agreeing with what has been argued in this regard in the recent literature cited above, this variable appears to have taken precedence in the entry over that of impulsivity, which is dominant in the less recent literature. As a third consideration, age was included, with respect to which some studies reported an inverse association with the level of addiction ( 70 – 72 ), while others reiterated the linear direction with increasing levels of Internet addiction ( 73 – 75 ). It was interesting to understand what the predictive relationship between age and problematic internet use might be in the sample of young adults considered. Finally, the gender variable was included, which according to other studies is predictive of different male and female susceptibility to problematic and pathological internet use. Thus, it was deemed that the four variables, considered in this order of entry into the predictive model, could provide a significant explanatory portion of the phenomenon under study.

Results of hierarchical linear regression analyses.

N = 481; β = standardized beta value.

*** p ≤ 0.001.

The present study was aimed to evaluate the importance of Internet abuse and dependence in a sample of young adults and it aimed to clarify the possible role of impulsivity, codependency, gender and age in explaining Internet addiction. Among the instruments in the Italian context to measure Internet addiction, the UADI , although not recent, has been preferred over others such as the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale-2 [GPIUS-2, ( 76 ); Italian valid. ( 77 )] or the classic Internet Addiction Test [IAT, ( 1 ); Italian valid ( 78 )], because, in addition to having in other studies confirmed good psychometric properties ( 79 – 83 ), it allowed us to assess two dimensions not present in the other instruments mentioned above, and which we considered significant for their possible association with the impulsivity and codependency variables, namely dissociation experiences and identity manipulations on the web. First of all, the results showed a substantial percentage of young people in the addiction phase (one third of the total sample). Moreover, another third of the sample demonstrated Internet abuse behavior. This clearly indicates that there was an issue of control over the use of the Internet among the young adults involved. Nevertheless, we recognize that there might be an overestimation, especially referred to the classification of “abuse” of the Internet. This can be due to the fact that the instrument was originally carried out in 2005 when the average use of the Internet and social networks was still limited. Over the years, we have seen a significant increase in the use of the Internet, especially among young people, due to a natural expansion of connectivity possibilities and as a normal evolution of a behavior of consultation and search for information. Moreover, the use of messaging for interactions with friends and acquaintances has also highly increased. Another aspect that should definitely be considered is that the UADI does not differentiate between different forms of addiction (smartphone, social media, cybersex, game addiction), while it measures a general prevalence of addiction. In light of current developments, we believe there is a need to provide adequate distinctions between different types of addiction and to differentiate areas affected by possible problems. Considering that the administrations took place after the period of greatest impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy ( 84 ) which, as we know, imposed a prolonged isolation and reduction in direct contacts, it is probable that these percentages are affected by the impact of social isolation ( 85 , 86 ) and that this has contributed to a compensatory search on the Internet. The results are, however, similar to the findings of the study by Salarvand et al. ( 87 ), also conducted with university students. Consulting the existing literature related to the period of COVID-19 lockdown (the same period in which we conducted our survey), has shown that the rates of general addiction increased as compared to the pre-COVID period. For example, the study of Burkauskas et al. ( 88 ) has shown that Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has increased 1.6 times (compared to the pre-COVID period) while the prevalence of the Problematic Internet USE (PIU) has increased 1.5 times. The same increase (1.6 times) during the COVID-19 pandemic of PIU has been also remarked by ( 89 ) in both adults and young people. This increase is particularly critical among young people as pointed out by several studies. For example, Zhao et al. ( 90 ) estimated the PIU prevalence rate in a sample of university students to be 28.4%, while a Swiss study by Mohler-Kuo et al. ( 91 ) estimated the PIU prevalence rate to be 21.3% for young adults.

Of particular interest, however, is the recent meta-analysis by Meng et al. ( 92 ), which includes 504 studies from 64 countries conducted before November 2021 and from which the importance of the varying incidence of specific modes of Internet addiction can be clearly understood. The study reports prevalence estimates of 26.99% (95% CI, 22.73–31.73) for smartphone addiction, 17.42% (95% CI, 12.42–23.89) for social media addiction, 14.22% (95% CI, 12.90–15.65) for Internet addiction, 8.23% (95% CI, 5.75–11.66) for cybersex addiction, and 6.04% (95% CI, 4.80–7.57) for game addiction.

Underlying the differences in prevalence estimates among the studies should certainly be noted the incidence of the instrument used. In our case, the results reported using the UADI-2 suffer from a lack of classificatory articulation and a normative update that may be reflected in some overestimation of problematic incidence.

However, in the enforced form of preventive isolation, a vicious circle is created that pushes people to seek comfort, entertainment, distraction and relief on the Internet, putting aside the real discomforts, which in this way are not resolved and addressed ( 93 ). In other words, the Internet acts as a deterrent and an escape route for people who experience difficulties in socializing in real life. Due to character traits such as shyness or situations of social isolation, the use of new technologies and social networks seem to become a privileged source of intense and satisfying emotions and sensations, albeit originating from entirely virtual dimensions, so that the Internet can represent a means of escaping from everyday reality and taking refuge in an illusory and gratifying world, in which the virtual element makes it possible to overcome the difficulties and inhibitions that can characterize real interactions, thus triggering pathological mechanisms that severely affect the social relationships, the financial situation and the mental health of the people involved ( 92 ).

Internet addictions are more frequent in people with a basic emotional fragility. They are triggered in people who are already experiencing psychological difficulties such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders and anxiety disorders ( 94 ). The immoderate and improper use of mobile phones and the Internet not only can cause huge gaps between people, but can also lead them to withdraw into themselves, to develop relational insecurities or a fear of rejection, to feel inadequate and in need of support, even if this is external and for its own sake. It should not be forgotten that among these forms of addiction, there is also the so-called ludopathy, i.e., addiction to games and gambling, to which mobile devices also contribute on a large scale ( 95 , 96 ).

Our results underline the male prevalence of Internet addiction, in line with other studies carried out during the same period ( 97 , 98 ). Regarding gender differences, the literature indicates that men are generally attracted to sex sites and online games. Women are more likely to spend time flirting in chat rooms. Men prefer visual stimuli and focused on sexual experiences, while women are more focused on relationships and interactions ( 99 – 102 ). These features are congruent with the findings regarding gender comparisons of the UADI-2 addiction scale components. The significantly higher score on the dissociation scale for males is associated with increased gaming [see also ( 103 – 105 )], whereas the score on the identity and sexuality scale is more likely to relate to behavior related to searching the Internet for sexually oriented content or masking one's identity in chat rooms or role-playing games [see also ( 106 , 107 )]. While no gender differences were found with regard to the manifestation of specific addiction-related symptoms, the negative impact on real life (work, study, social relationships, general wellbeing) was greater for males.

The analysis of the bivariate correlations clearly confirmed both the association with impulsiveness and that with codependency. The subsequent hierarchical regression also confirmed the hypothesis of the present study. In terms of the weights of the regression coefficients, impulsivity remains the main predictor (β = 0.312), as indicated by most of the above literature, but it is flanked by co-dependency, which shows a regressive weight just below the former (β = 0.275).

To the best of our knowledge, the only study that explicitly relates codependency to Internet addiction is that of Shishkov et al. ( 53 ). Their contribution shows that higher levels of Internet addiction were associated with an increase in codependency. Although the authors do not carry out a regression analysis, but limit themselves to correlation associations, they comment on the results, pointing out that the prerequisites for Internet addiction as well as for codependency are in the family.

In contrast to the study of Shishkov et al., in which both Internet addiction and codependency were greater in younger individuals, our results show the opposite trend: within the 18–30 age group, it is the older participants who are more dependent, both on the Internet and in terms of relationships. This result is particularly relevant as it raises interesting questions about the potential extension of addiction problems into the fully adult age group.

Some confirmation with respect to the age trend involved in such issues comes from studies that have recently focused on the Internet addiction of workers and professionals ( 108 – 111 ). Other studies also point out the association between Internet addiction (in both adults and young adults) with depression ( 43 , 112 – 114 ), hyperactivity and attention deficit ( 115 – 119 ).

The prevalence of Internet addiction in the adults leads us to consider the growing incidence of attention disorders such as ADHD in this age group. Although ADHD is a disorder that begins in childhood, if it is not recognized and properly treated, it can develop into adult ADHD. Although hyperactivity often tends to diminish over time, emotional restlessness and instability in interpersonal relations sometimes persist, together with difficulty in organizing oneself and managing several tasks in parallel ( 120 – 123 ); attention difficulties persist, manifesting themselves as difficulties in tasks such as keeping appointments and meeting deadlines. These consequences negatively affect different aspects of the adult's life, often leading to financial and work difficulties, interpersonal and relationship problems ( 124 , 125 ). The significant association and predictive estimation, which emerged in our study, of motor and attentional impulsiveness with Internet addiction, suggests that at the basis of this addiction there may also be problems of attention and impulse management that can be traced back to adult ADHD.

As regards codependency, this predictor usually includes personal relationship problems, also within the family context. We found only one study that explicitly considered family functioning, attentional impulsivity and Internet addiction in a sample of young adults in a single explanatory model ( 43 ). In this model, attentional impulsivity is proposed as a mediator of the relationship between family functioning and Internet addiction. Although our study does not test this mediation, it has shed light to the role of these predictors in explaining Internet addiction.

Practical implications of the study

Once some of the possible significant predictors have been identified, it seems appropriate to identify the containment interventions to be put in place. In this regard, the review by Xu et al. ( 126 ) on psychological interventions on Internet addiction suggests the formation of targeted and personalized intervention programmes. For impulsivity, which has been proposed as a potential indicator and treatment target of Internet addiction ( 127 , 128 ), The Reality Therapy approach is suggested to assist individuals in controlling their behavior and making alternative Internet-related choices ( 129 ). Reality therapy is based on choice theory, which holds that people are in charge of their lives and what they do, feel, and think ( 126 , 130 ). It focuses on goal-directed choices and self-control, which are very important aspects for young people ( 131 , 132 ) directly by assisting individuals in reflecting on their behaviors, evaluating their options, and planning to choose more effective options ( 130 , 133 ). Reality therapy may help people with addictions and impulsivity issues improve their self-control and reduce problem behaviors. Despite the fact that there have been very few studies of Internet addiction intervention using reality therapy alone, this method has been linked to improved self-esteem. Similar effects have been observed in studies of reality therapy for substance abuse ( 134 , 135 ). Although more research is needed, preliminary findings suggest that reality therapy may play a role in the treatment of Internet addiction ( 130 ). Because good family functioning was linked to a lower risk of experiencing Internet addiction, family factors may be important targets for Internet addiction interventions ( 136 ). Family therapy is not a specific process, but rather a set of interventions aimed at improving family functions and relationships rather than directly addressing addictive behaviors. The therapies are designed to improve communication and relationships while shifting psychological needs fulfillment away from the internet and toward interactions and building relationships with family members ( 137 , 138 ). Shek et al. ( 139 , 140 ) used a combination of motivational interviewing and family-based therapy. Participants reported less Internet addiction and improved family functioning.

Since our study reveals the predictive role of codependency, and this is certainly associated with problems of poor relationship functioning, it can be assumed that both family therapy and other interventions or compound approaches may help. Mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement (MORE), for example, combines mindfulness training with cognitive restructuring (the process of learning to identify and modify maladaptive thoughts through methods such as logical disputation) ( 141 ). Some studies have looked into combining two different psychosocial treatments. According to Yao et al. ( 142 ), combining reality therapy and mindfulness meditation had a significant effect on Internet gaming disorder.

Given that an inverse relationship between internet addiction and information literacy has emerged in several studies ( 143 – 145 ), further preventive and restraining interventions could include ad hoc media and information literacy enhancement programs, which have been found to be effective in addressing other youth issues such as various addictions ( 146 – 148 ), doping consumption in sports ( 149 , 150 ), eating disorders ( 151 – 153 ), ciberbullismo ( 154 , 155 ), youth aggressiveness and deviant behaviours ( 156 , 157 ).

With regard to the above-mentioned interventions, it should be noted that since most of them are conducted with small groups of adolescents, it remains open to question the extent of their effectiveness with a different target group such as young adults and adults. For example, both adult co-dependency and adult hyperactivity problems would require further experimentation, taking into account the different contexts and the actual limitations/opportunities of the current living conditions. Further research and implementation of targeted and customized programmes will certainly be necessary.

Limitations of the study

Our findings should be interpreted while acknowledging some limitations. First, the sample size for this study was small and the statistical power can be affected. This limitation was due to the difficulty of getting more students involved in the study during the COVID-19 emergency, but we believe that future studies could benefit from a larger sample size and selecting participants from other parts of the country. Second, the participants in our sample were all university students. This choice was made bearing in mind the results of recent meta-analyses conducted in different countries that have shown a high prevalence of Internet addiction in this population [e.g., ( 87 , 158 , 159 )] and have raised the urgence to orientate policy strategies to this emerging issue for young adults. However future research will be needed to replicate these findings in other groups. Third, it should considered that the UADI-2 instrument does not differentiate between different forms of addiction (smartphone, social media, cybersex, game addiction) and the measure is indicative of a general prevalence, which in light of current developments, would instead need a specific distinction to adequately and differentially define the areas affected by possible problematicness. Furthermore, results reported may reflect some overestimation of problematic incidence due to this lack of classificatory articulation and normative update since the moment of validation of the instrument UADI-2 carried out in 2005. In addition, future studies could include more variables (such as socio-economic status, including clinical data as depression, anxiety, feeling of loneliness, interpersonal issues, maladaptive cognitions) and more covariates variables. Finally, it was a cross-sectional study, therefore, causalities could not be entirely clarified.

This study investigates the role and predictive weight of impulsivity and codependency on Internet addiction on a sample of young adult university students by using a hierarchical regression analysis. The results confirmed that both impulsivity and codependency play a role in problems related to Internet use, moreover they showed the relative importance of gender and age. The study demonstrated that maladaptive and addicted use of the Internet is a critical issue also among young adults, and it suggests that preventive and restraint measures are needed. These can include not only targeted awareness programs, but also interventions aimed at encouraging a greater emotional and attentional control and a more balanced management of personal relationships among young people.

Data availability statement

Ethics statement.

The studies involving human participants were reviewed and approved by Institutional Review Board of the University of Cassino and Southern Lazio. The participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study.

Author contributions

PD, SM, and SC designed the study and drafted the manuscript. PD, SM, SC, and ADR analyzed the data and discussed the results. EC, LG, and AC revised the manuscript. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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