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Internet Addiction
Abstract
Internet addiction involves and entails uncontrolled and excessive preoccupations and behavior concerning internet access and computer usage, leading to psychological issues of impairment or distress. Over the decades, the issue concerning internet addiction has attracted numerous researches with a lot of debates concerning the issue. The current research aims at reviewing the various literature reviews concerning internet addiction and its prevalence in society among the youths in their adolescent stages. The prevalence studied across the multiple clinical reports rated across different communities is in varying degrees of 1% to 18.7% among the youth population, with most of the males showing a predominance being attributed to the internet addiction. The U.S.A. population reports from clinical; reports show an estimated dominance of 0.3 -0.7% (Shaw $ Black). Internet addiction is complicated to diagnose but has various psychological and pharmacological treatment methods since the addiction poses a severe health hazard to users.
Introduction
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) recognizes internet addiction as a problematic phenomenon across adolescents youths. However, the DSM IV manual fails to acknowledge the related addictive disorders making the diagnosis of the problem hard (Weinstein and Lejoyeux). Efforts to highlight these shortcomings have increased with the proposals to include internet addiction in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder V. The issue require elaborate and extensive research since the use of computers and mobile phones in the contemporary society has dramatically increased. Due to increased technological advancements, internet access has become increasingly widespread, increasing the widespread misuse of these resources, as documented in the telephone survey of 2513 involving randomly selected adults (Shaw & Black). The number of internet users has significantly increased by 1000%, resulting in the proliferation of addictive internet usage researches (Kuss and Lopez-Fernandez). With the concerns increasing and the diagnosis of this problem becoming a problem various countries such as China and South Korea have made it possible for the ide notification of internet addiction as a threat to the health of its users supporting education, research, and treatment in the same ( Cash et al.). With the numerous inputs by various nations and institutions to recognize the issue as problematic and institute various measures and support in curbing and averting the health complication, the internet addiction continues to elucidate numerous debates concerning its definition.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) lost, and addiction as a chronic brain disorder going against the standard belief that addiction results from substance use only (Griffiths et al.). Internet addiction is in the form of behavioral and mental effects, though have a universal salience and compulsive effects as substance addictions on individuals. It is regarding these numerous scientific definitions and the inability to measure the addiction levels in internet users that various researchers seek to address the issue by investigating the clinical aspects of internet addiction. Numerous pathological and etymological aspects regarding the addiction exist with multiple elements on how to solve the problem, which is widely becoming a global concern due to the increasing number of youths using the internet.
The addiction in an individual ma infests itself through various clinical approved symptoms ranging from a feeling of guilt to depression from online behaviors. An individual addicted to the internet also demonstrates an inability to control behavior and has minimal sleep. While others use the internet for education and livelihood, others use the internet for personal reasons. However, the addiction has various recommended treatments for a range of internet disorders such as the Cyber –Relationship Addiction, Net Compulsions, Information Overload, and Computer Addiction among society. Numerous (Ferrara et al.) available articles concerning internet addiction also based on the purpose of the study to investigate the matter and also review the effectiveness of the materials in addressing the issue.
Literature Review
There exist a lot of in-depth research on drug addiction. Still, the impacts of internet addiction continue facing underestimation while it became more problematic severe to individuals and society at large. Immense concentration on youths and especially adolescents and college students, is required since most of them cannot exercise self-regulation and control to the overwhelming components of the internet (Shao et al.). These groups of people have the most internet preoccupation. Among the American College students, the prevalence of internet addiction is 12%, while Iranian medical students record the prevalence of 10.8%. China also records a considerable population of 731 million people as well as the European number, which has internet addiction, with China recording a prevalence of 11% more among its college students and the teenagers who are addicted to the internet over other countries (Pezoa-Jares). The prevalence is, however, attributed to the increased development in infrastructure and the adoption of internet services in learning. Students are significantly becoming exposed to the internet and know how to use these devices at an early age. Web, though, brought numerous benefits to society. It has immense implications on the health of individuals due to uncontrolled and over-reliance on the internet among the population in society. As the International Telecommunication Union predicted that by 2014 44% of households would have internet access, the numbers have increasingly increased over the years.
According to the DSM V, online gaming that happens even when offline is classified under the categories or sources of internet addiction. However, there are numerous conceptual dilemmas regarding internet addiction definitions and treatments. The difference between normal and pathological use of internet addiction is hard to determine. Various researches have committed to addressing and covering the gap of screening and diagnosis to enable the numerous identified treatment methods to become productive and identify the issue at an early stage for proper address (King). The matter, however, requires a considerable amount of understanding and attention from the clinical scientists and researchers to address the internet addiction with the inclusivity of all the aspects and concerns on internet usage and differentiating what becomes addictive and what doesn’t. What is regarded as addictive has beneficial issues though it can cause problems to the health with an exhibition of the various symptoms of internet addiction disorder as highlighted in (DSM-V). Therefore researchers must greatly classify what qualifies as internet addiction disorder to reduce confusion and the ever-constant debate on the matter.
The epidemiology of the prevalence of internet addiction also faces limitations on methodological difficulties on diagnosis and diagnosis tools heterogeneity with contradicting concepts regarding substance use and impulse control disorder. Studies using the DSM IV guide in evaluating internet addiction record prevalence of 9.8-15.2 while using the young Diagnostic Questionnaire for pathological gambling records a prevalence of 2-37.9% (Pezoa-Jares). The epidemiological data discrepancies call for a collaborative and holistic approach by the scientist and researchers regarding internet addiction to boost the credibility of their research and outcomes to constructively and conclusively contribute in internet addiction addressing and treatment through research. The difference in prevalence shows different results and also exhibits the various understanding of the issue, which makes it hard to carry out a clinical diagnosis. Due to these differences in the epidemiology data, research and clinical practitioners only rely on the consistent findings from this research upon which generalizations are made concerning internet addiction in the society. The prevalence of internet addiction is, however, attributed to the cultural and technological differences among countries. For instance, China records a high prevalence more than other countries due to the advancements it has recorded over the years on the technical field, and innovative population culture has encouraged innovation among the population regarding technologies and internet use.
The prevalence of the addiction varies among the United States and Europe from 1.5-8.2%, with other studies recording a variance of 6-18.5% (Karacic, and Oreskovic). Regardless of the differences, the rates of prevalence are usually high and alarming to the neurobiological vulnerabilities it poses to the youths. The different attachments of internet addiction to teenagers have more harm than the perceived benefits they attribute to using the internet predominantly. The use distiches them from the social aspects of relations. The wellbeing of youths and children is, however, a concern to various researchers on the issue of internet addiction with moist advocating for controlled methods among the youths regarding the use of the internet. At the same time, they are young (Cash et al.).These numerous concerns have driven the various researchers in articulating aspects concerning treatment and diagnosis of internet addiction.
However, there exists a gap in the diagnosis methodologies and the numerous classification s of internet addiction. Therefore a precise classification and guidelines concerning matters about internet classification need an establishment to promote efficient addressing of the issue. Failure to have a standard direction to follow while addressing the internet addiction, the differences in the levels of prevalence among the same population group continued to hinder the proper dissemination of clinical tools to resolve the issue. Researchers require collaborative efforts and clinical guidelines to survey population and carry out interviews as directed by the DSM V emerging measures and models.
Method
The research utilized the research of various scholars regarding the prevalence of internet addiction and the surveys done in America, Europe, and China. The use of the review technique was to investigate the number of the population with a high prevalence in internet addiction and determine the gender experiencing the problem. The study comprised of teenagers of 11 to 18 years attending various public schools and college students randomly selected for the study. The random involved selection of four schools per 100 students in each category of classification across the population of a survey of teenagers in public high schools and college students with internet addiction.
The study across the three areas was due to their vast population and advancements in the use of technologies. They have improved infrastructure, and the data also concerning their usefulness is easy to access. The cross-sectional study helps in comparison of data selected to make a particular assumption and conclusion about the study. The study was aimed at identifying the prevalence of internet addiction among gender. It also highlights possible solutions and effects of the overreliance use of the internet among the population and society.
The research also involved the use of an internet addiction questionnaire to gather data from the survey population. Young’s Internet Addiction Scale guided the inquiry based on criteria for pathological gambling. The scale reflected on the addictive behavior and six dimensions of internet addiction. It tested the salient preoccupation, internet overuse, neglecting behaviors, self-control, and social life absence in individuals. However, the research considered the ethical issues of keeping the information concerning the individuals confidential. Measures were taken to keep interviews and questionnaires of individual confidential regarding their usage of the internet and their thoughts and insights.
Results
The focus of the study across the young population highlight that internet addiction is a problem among the youths compared to the adults. The predominance of internet use among youths shows the significance of the study. And the attributes of the infrastructural and technological advancements. The youths are becoming more and more aware of the use of the internet, and the integration of the internet into education makes it possible for the youths to access the internet through education. Mainly internet use among teenagers starts as an education requirement. Still, they also find new ways of communication and entertaining themselves other than the educative purpose of the internet, which leads to internet addiction. The prevalence highlighted by the older population in society is a result of being addicted to the internet while young.
With the prevalence of the population 18years and older ranging from 0.3% to 0.7% among the population with 13% of the respondents demonstrating problematic internet, issues prove that the use of internet either online or offline has health issues among the people and requires an immediate address. Through the clinical; reports of compulsive computer use, 76% were men. Men showed a high prevalence of internet addiction than females though others showed a prevalence of girls over that of men. The prevalence of more men than females among the population is attributed to the fact that more men show interest in gaming, gambling, and other online activities more than females. The interest in most of the events is done secretly from the parents, which makes it hard to control their activities using the internet and end up having significant health issues.
Also, through the study of clinical treatment seekers across the tree areas, the study observed that most of those seeking help due to internet addiction were young population—most of the addiction treatment seekers in the study aged between 16 to 30 years (Karacic, and Oreskovic). The data also shows signs that the most affected and exposed to internet addiction are the youths whose high reliance on the internet for everything is very alarming. Rarely the youths nowadays have any socializing aspects and abilities. The use of the internet has also changed how the population associate with the community. Communication is carried out online through social Media than physical expressions and interactions. This enables the youths to live a double and false life, which they must continuously keep through participating in the internet platforms.
There exist different diagnoses and comorbidities in identifying individuals suffering from internet addiction. The commonly used diagnostic test was the DSM IV manual and guidance. In measuring the psychological symptomatology, the symptom-checklist, SCL-90-R, was utilized, and the Chinese version of the institution of dealing with addiction (Mini International Neuropsychiatric). The research identified the existence of depression as a symptom of internet addiction among the population. Demonstration of depression is associated with the use of social media and detachment of internet users from the social reality in the community. The social interaction aspect and loneliness feeling make one feel in their world, which spans up different thoughts. The social media life also makes one detach from reality, and they see all things are easy and straightforward to them. However, most of the population exhibiting depression are those who have completed or are near to end their college studies. The realization that they have to carry themselves differently and live a different life from having to use the internet more often brings a sense of reality and the true meaning of socializing, which is hard for most of them, thus causing loneliness and depression.
Most also through the internet want to live and reach certain aspects of their colleagues which they cannot and end up being depressed and feeling left out. Numerous studies also attribute a lack of enough sleep to internet addiction. Most of the population involved in the survey recorded having slept a few hours as they spent most of their nights engaged in the internet. These trends and behaviors cause health and mental issues to the youths and require treatment. However, the common and the effects way of treating internet addiction from most of the research is cognitive behavior therapy. Most researchers advocate for the involvement of psychologists and the introduction of therapy programs to change the behaviors of the youths in internet addiction. Most of the participants in the survey demonstrated a lack of self-control in the usage of the internet, and no matter how hard they tried to stop, they found it challenging.
Nevertheless, quite a considerable amount of studies attribute 2.1% of internet addiction to extreme and uncontrolled gaming. 37.9% prevalence of addiction exists amongst Asian adolescents and young people. Statistical data analysis shows that youths were addicted from the internet with entertainment purposes with a small portion utilizing the internet for educational purposes. Most of those who used the internet for educational purposes were females at 20%, with the males at 12%. Males were the central gender utilizing the internet for entertainment purposes and mostly pathological gaming activities. However, there was a correlation between the purpose of the use of the internet and the place of origin. European students mainly used the internet for studies, while those in America and China are predominantly utilizing the internet for entertainment. Most of the European countries’ resources are centered on learning. America and China have, however, recorded significant steps on developments and advancement of technology and have no well-laid structures and frameworks in regulating and controlling the use of the internet among youths and adolescents.
Therefore with a considerable amount of experts and therapeutic measures, most of the effects of internet addiction may become averted and internet usage among the use controlled. The problem requires the input of parents in monitoring the youths in what they involve themselves on the internet and the time they spend with those gadgets and while using the internet.
Discussion
The primary study aim was concerned in addressing the numerous disparities and provide reasons for the differences and also account for the gap in the internet addiction problem. Various definitions exist according to the issue of the internet addiction classification and methodology of diagnosis. Due to the numerous interpretations and different manuals and guidance, the problem of internet addiction is not well understood compared to the issue of substance addiction. Therefore the study has found out that there is a need for a more metaphysical and holistic approach in integrating all the aspects of internet addiction to address the gaps and differences in prevalence data among the youths. However, it is essential to acknowledge the demographic differences which also contribute to the different data and internet addiction components and discussion.
However, though the diagnostic of the problem is different, the results and findings show a considerable comparison of the effects of internet addiction on the health and mental behavior of individuals. The studies acknowledge the importance of different approaches in the treatment of problems among the population. Occupation differences among the youths and the adults also result in a high prevalence among the use. Adults and teenagers show very different personalities. Adults are mainly concerned with taking care of family and their lives. While teenagers have most of their energy and time dedicated to enjoying themselves on the internet since they have no responsibilities.
Key findings of the study show that the main attribute of internet addiction the persistent and recurrent inability to control excessive gaming habits other than socializing. This attribute is mostly demonstrated by the male population, which uses the internet to carry out these activities and is the most prevalent population to show internet addiction. Internet addiction requires both the psychological and pharmacological treatments, with the most effective method being the psychological one of cognitive behavior therapy. The problem involves a change of behavior, and thus addressing the behavior in the treatment becomes an effective way. At the same time, also pharmacological is needed to treat the effects of the symptoms such as depression.
However, the study is faced with numerous problems that limit the collection of data effectively. The presence of different methods in diagnosing the problem gives the clinical collection of samples and identification of internet addiction very hard to diagnose and treat. The numbers reported, and the data collected may end up misleading the research and conclusion of the findings. Also, it becomes difficult to obtain a substantive amount of data on internet addiction from different countries and across the youth population because of the disparities in the manual guide and different definitions of the problem resulting in varying prevalence rates across the same people in the same country or region.
Future studies should, therefore, look at the integration of various methods of diagnosis and the identification of the universal definition of internet addiction. Most of the study has utilized the DSM IV manual guide in carrying out the research. Researchers should check the effectiveness of using the DSM V manual guide. Youths and adolescents have predominately being studied overlooking the adults’ prevalence of internet addiction and its effects on family and society other than how they affect a person.
Consequently, the study demonstrates the significance of interventions to address the internet addiction issue. Though the term has many definitions, the significant health issues require a considerable amount of attention from the society and also the governments in coming up with regulations and measures to control internet use among youths in the community. The great significance of male prevalence among adolescents is due to the participation of the male in many adult related internet activities when they are so young. Therefore governments should have a rating of programs and parental guidance and monitoring of the activities of the youth on the internet.
Internet addiction has many effects on an individual and the society at large. Various measures undertaken must address the behavior change and the mental problems caused by preoccupied and uncontrolled use of the internet. Unchecked Internet use from youths has many effects and also affects the social norms in a community such as socializing and spending time with people together. Some of the social tradition’s practices are lost as widespread adoption, and the use of the internet in everything becomes integrated into the teenagers’ way of life and activities.
Works cited
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