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While time spent online can be hugely productive, compulsive internet use can interfere with daily life, work and relationships. When you feel more comfortable with your online friends than your real ones; or you can't stop yourself from playing games; gambling; or compulsively checking your smartphone, tablet or other mobile device – even when it has negative consequences in your life – then you may be using the internet too much. Learn about the signs and symptoms of internet addiction, and how to balance your life online and off.
What is internet addiction or computer addiction?
Internet addiction, otherwise known as computer addiction, online addiction or internet addiction disorder (IAD), covers a variety of impulse-control problems:
- Cybersex Addiction – This involves compulsive use of internet pornography, adult chat rooms or adult fantasy role-play sites, and impacts negatively on real-life intimate relationships.
- Cyber-relationship Addiction – This is addiction to social networking, chat rooms, texting and messaging to the point where virtual, online friends become more important than real-life relationships with family and friends.
- Net Compulsions – such as compulsive online gaming, gambling, stock trading or compulsive use of online auction sites such as eBay – often result in financial and job-related problems.
- Information Overload – This is compulsive Web surfing or database searching, leading to lower work productivity and less social interaction with family and friends.
- Computer Addiction – This involves obsessive playing of offline computer games, such as Solitaire or Minesweeper, or obsessive computer programming.
The most common of these internet addictions are cybersex, online gambling and cyber-relationship addiction.
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Internet Use
The internet provides a constant, ever-changing source of information and entertainment, and can be accessed from most smartphones as well as tablets, laptops and desktop computers. E-mail, blogs, social networks, instant messaging and message boards allow for both public and anonymous communication about any topic – but how much is too much internet usage?
Each person's internet use is different. You might need to use the internet extensively for your work, for example, or you might rely heavily on social networking sites to keep in touch with faraway family and friends. Spending a lot of time online only becomes a problem when it absorbs too much of your time, causing you to neglect your relationships, your work, school or other important things in your life. If you keep repeating compulsive internet behaviour despite the negative consequences in your offline life, then it's time to strike a new balance.
How do people become addicted to the internet?
To Relieve Unpleasant and Overwhelming Feelings
Many people turn to the internet in order to manage unpleasant feelings such as stress, loneliness, depression and anxiety. When you have a bad day and are looking for a way to escape your problems or to quickly relieve stress or self-soothe, the internet can be an easily accessible outlet. Losing yourself online can temporarily make feelings such as loneliness, stress, anxiety, depression and boredom evaporate into thin air. As much comfort as the internet can provide, though, it's important to remember that there are healthier (and more effective) ways to keep difficult feelings in check. These may include exercising, meditating and practicing simple relaxation techniques.
For many people, an important aspect of overcoming internet and computer addiction is to find alternate ways to handle these difficult feelings. Even when your internet use is back to healthy levels, the painful and unpleasant feelings that may have prompted you to engage in unhealthy internet use in the past will remain. Therefore, it's worth spending some time thinking about the different ways you intend to deal with stressful situations and the daily irritations that would normally have you logging on.
Risk Factors for Internet Addiction and Computer Addiction
You are at greater risk of internet addiction if any of the following apply:
- You suffer from anxiety. You may use the internet to distract yourself from your worries and fears. An anxiety disorder like obsessive compulsive disorder may also contribute to excessive e-mail checking and compulsive internet use.
- You are depressed. The internet can be an escape from feelings of depression, but too much time online can make things worse. Internet addiction further contributes to stress, isolation and loneliness.
- You have any other addictions. Many internet addicts suffer from other addictions, such as drugs, alcohol, gambling and sex.
- You lack social support. Internet addicts often use social networking sites, instant messaging or online gaming as a safe way of establishing new relationships and more confidently relating to others.
- You're an unhappy teenager. You might be wondering where you fit in, and the internet could feel more comfortable than real-life friends.
- You are less mobile or socially active than you once were. For example, you may be coping with a new disability that limits your ability to drive, or you may be parenting very young children, which can make it hard to leave the house or connect with old friends.
- You are stressed. While some people use the internet to relieve stress, it can have a counterproductive effect. The longer you spend online, the higher your stress levels will be.
Reference:
Saisan, J., Smith, M., Robinson, L. & Segal, J. (Updated 2015, April). Internet and computer addiction: Signs, symptoms, and help for balancing your time online and off. Retrieved 18 June 2015 from www.helpguide.org