Am I Addicted to the Internet?
Key takeaways:
There is no official diagnosis of internet addiction. But people can still show signs of an internet addiction.
Like other addictions, internet addiction can interfere with your work, school, relationships, and mental health if left untreated.
Treatment for internet addiction can include professional mental health therapy and support groups.
Being online is such a normal part of everyday life. You may not even think about how much time you spend online and how it makes you feel. The internet is a tremendous tool for many, but for some, it can lead to addiction. A person who is addicted to the internet will see a decline in their quality of life. They may need professional treatment to address their symptoms.
Read on to learn more about internet addiction, what it looks like, and what you can do about it.
What is internet addiction?
Internet addiction is not currently a recognized mental health condition. But people have noted the harmful effects of spending too much time online. If you spend excessive time online, it can negatively affect your life, just like other types of addiction. It could also be a sign that you have an addiction to the internet. Even though it’s not an official diagnosis, some professionals use the term “internet addiction” to describe people who use the internet excessively and experience problems as a result.
It is difficult to track the rate of internet addiction because it is not an official psychological condition. Depending on the research, internet addiction may occur at rates as low as 1.5% and as high as 8% in the U.S. and Europe.
The rates of internet addiction may also vary by country and age. In Asian countries like South Korea and Japan, rates of internet addiction or smartphone addiction among young adults could be as high as 40%.
What is internet gaming disorder?
Internet addiction is not currently recognized by any mental health group in the U.S. But there is special interest in the addictive nature of video games. Internet gaming disorder includes aspects of video game addiction and internet addiction. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has labeled it a “condition for further study.”
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Like other addictions, internet gaming disorder involves symptoms like:
Excessive gaming
Loss of interest in other activities
Being overly focused on game play
What makes the internet addictive?
Like other addictions, the internet provides a certain mix of rewards that keep you coming back for more. The three main characteristics that make the internet addictive for some people are:
Availability: Nearly 90% of people in the U.S. use the internet. And about 75% of people use a mobile device, like a smartphone or tablet, to access the web. With cellular, Wi-Fi, and public hotspots, the internet is always available.
Control and independence: You can get online whenever and wherever you want. So your internet use can feel private and secure, which offers a feeling of control and freedom.
Excitement and rewards: Social media, online auctions, gambling online, gaming, and pornography can be thrilling. Some people report that being online provides a “high” feeling like being on a drug.
With so many people online, it seems inevitable that some will suffer the unwanted outcomes of internet addiction.
What types of internet use are most addictive?
The scope of the internet and internet addiction is broad. So internet addiction is separated into four categories. You could have one or more types of internet addiction.
These types of internet use are the most addictive:
Sex: Using the internet to view pornography or connect with people for sex or sexual activities.
Relationships: Using online communities to make or keep friends and romantic partners. Social media and online dating sites fit into the “relationship” category.
Games: Using the internet to play games. This includes elaborate multiplayer online games or seemingly simple smartphone games.
Information: Using the web to find information on search engines, message boards, and online forums.
You may not become addicted to the internet by simply engaging in these behaviors. But doing so will increase the risk.
Internet addiction disorder is a behavioral addiction
Not all addictions involve drug and alcohol use. Experts now agree that behaviors can also be addictive. It seems that repeating a behavior, like going online, can trigger brain changes similar to those caused by substance use.
Currently, the APA recognizes gambling disorder as an addictive disorder that is not related to a substance. This addition opens the door for experts to see many other behaviors as the addictions they are.
Examples of other behavioral addictions
Other forms of behavioral addictions under investigation include:
Sex and pornography addiction
Eating and food addictions
Shopping and compulsive spending addiction
Exercise addiction
Work addiction
These behaviors may have the power to disrupt the flow of chemical messengers in the brain. By triggering the release of a brain chemical called dopamine, these behaviors can become very satisfying experiences, even when they create harm.
What are the signs and symptoms of internet addiction?
The signs of internet addiction will closely mirror the characteristics of other addictions. The most significant symptoms of internet addiction include:
Spending more time being online and thinking about being online
Staying online longer than planned or losing track of time when online
Feeling uncomfortable or irritable when you cannot go online or have your device
Being unable to cut back, reduce, or stop using the internet
New or worsening conflicts with loved ones, peers, or coworkers
Being unable to maintain responsibilities at home, work, or school
Lying to others to keep internet use a secret
Using the internet to avoid or escape real life problems
Even one or two of these symptoms can mean an issue with internet use. Some experts believe five or more of these symptoms indicate a full internet addiction.
Are there ways to curb internet addiction?
If you notice signs of internet addiction in yourself or a loved one, there are ways to change the behavior. Some self-help tips to curb internet addiction include:
Pay more attention to your internet use and the times you seem to use it more.
Take frequent breaks from the internet or take a “digital detox” for a few days.
Leave your electronics behind when you leave home.
Introduce positive coping skills like relaxation and meditation to deal with stress.
Increase social contact in real life with friends, family, and other loved ones.
Adjust your diet, exercise, and sleep to improve your physical health.
Asking yourself or a loved one to stop going online will be hard. So fill time with healthy activities and offer rewards for reduced internet use.
What treatments are available for internet addiction?
You may need professional treatments to manage the symptoms of internet addiction. For example, a therapist can help you understand your internet addiction and uncover any underlying issues fueling it.
Therapy options like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and motivational interviewing (MI) can improve symptoms. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a helpful treatment locator to find therapy near you.
Online and face-to-face support groups can benefit those in need as well. Options like Internet Addicts Anonymous connect you to people struggling with the same issues. SMART Recovery is another support group that offers help for both substance use and behavioral addictions. These support groups provide a chance to build a community with people in recovery.
The bottom line
Internet addiction is not currently an official mental health disorder. But that does not mean excessive internet use cannot be harmful. Pay attention to your time online and what effects internet use has on you and your family. Like other addictions, internet use can start slowly before it becomes a massive problem. So consider treatment options when needed.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2018). Internet gaming.
Better Health Channel. (2011). Internet addiction.
Cash, H., et al. (2012). Internet addiction: A brief summary of research and practice. Current Psychiatry Reviews.
Duke Personal Assistance Service. (n.d.). Internet addiction.
Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous. (2022). Home.
SMART Recovery®. (n.d.). There’s life beyond addiction.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Behavioral health treatment services locator.
Tateno, M., et al. (2019). Internet addiction, smartphone addiction, and hikikomori trait in Japanese young adult: Social isolation and social network. Frontiers in Psychiatry.
Yau, Y. H. C., et al. (2015). Gambling disorder and other behavioral addictions: Recognition and treatment. Harvard Review of Psychiatry.
If you or someone you know struggles with addiction, help is available. Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 to learn about resources in your area.
