Thesis on "Internet Addiction"

Thesis 6 pages (2083 words) Sources: 6 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Internet Addiction

The Internet has become a ubiquitous and essential part of modern life. Business and networking for both commercial and personal ends has become part of everyday life for most people in the world and the Internet offers a seemingly endless resource for of all kinds of information. There is no doubt that the Internet has opened new areas and possibilities for communication and interaction across international and regional barriers at a rate that would have seemed impossible only a few decades ago.

However, while this technology has been hailed as one of the most useful and promising inventions in history, there are some negative aspects to consider. One of these aspects that have come to the fore in the last few years is the reported cases of the effects of serious internet addiction.

In one well publicized case the importance of the issue of Internet addiction was highlighted by the death of a South Korean man who allegedly died as a result of continuous Internet usage for more than fifty-nine hours without sleep and nourishment. (S Korean dies after games session) Another case illustrates not only the physical but also the social problems that can result from this form of addiction. In Cincinnati in 1997 an unemployed mother was reported to have spent "… over twelve hours a day secluded from her three young and neglected children while she surfed the Web" (Bursten and Dombeck). These and other cases highlight the importance of an increased concern and focus on this problem

In fact the occurrence of this form of addiction and its severe outcomes has become so prevalent that it has even received a formal medical recognition as a form of addiction. It is known as Internet addiction disorder or IAD. This means that Internet addiction is not just a term in popular culture to describe someone who spends too much time online, but is in reality an accepted and serious form of mental disorder. The term Internet addiction disorder was first proposed by Dr. Ivan Goldberg, "…as a description of pathological, compulsive Internet usage" ( King S.A.)

The main thesis that will be explored in this paper is that internet addiction is not just 'hype' but is in fact a serious problem. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that it involves a medium that is open to all and is therefore also open to abuse.

On the other hand there are those who assert that Internet addiction is a fable and a fiction and does not exist in reality. For many the Internet is "… just a harmless, friendly tool for gathering information, making new friends, and passing time" ( Ferris). From this point-of-view talk of Internet addiction is little more than a farce.

However, this view is contradicted by many experts who provide proof the Internet addicting is a serious affair. For example, Pam Belluck, in an article entitled, Net Addiction: True Disorder or Just a Cyber-Psycho-Fad? ( 1996), states the following example of withdrawal from Internet addiction. "When he was brought into the alcohol and drug rehabilitation center, his body convulsed about, and he threw tables and chairs around the rooms" (Belluck).

If as this paper argues, online addiction is a reality then this raises the important issue of the control of Internet usage; which suggests that internet usage should be monitored especially with regard to children and adolescents to ensure that they do not become addicted. It will be argued that this form of addiction should be treated as a serious disorder on a par with gambling and alcohol addiction.

2. What is IAD?

In order to stress the view that Internet addiction is a serious disorder and not the latest online hype or fad, the exact nature of IAD should be discussed. Internet addiction disorder is a disorder that is similar to other forms of addiction that has the potential to be harmful in both a psychological and physical sense. In medical terms it is described as a psychophysiological disorder. This disorder has been linked by medical experts to other potentially psychological addictions, such as pathological gambling. (Ferris) Medical pundits are also of the opinion that this form of addiction can be as detrimental to the individual health and compare it to alcohol addiction. (Ferris)

A distinction however should be made between addiction to the Internet and addiction to the stimulation that the Internet provides. As another expert states, "Some psychologists do not believe in addiction to the Internet itself, but rather in addiction to stimulation that the Internet provides" (Bursten and Dombeck). This suggests that it is that it is amount of continuous stimulation that is provided by the Internet that is the fundamental cause of this addiction. "Addicted" Internet users are "….addicted to a favored kind of social stimulation and not to the Internet itself although it is also true that the Internet has made it vastly easier and more convenient for someone to develop such a compulsion" (Bursten and Dombeck).

In more precise terms a diagnosis of IAD means that certain criteria have to be met. These criteria are prescribed by the American Psychiatric Association and include the following. Addiction is often indicated by a high rate of tolerance and an increasing amount of time spent on the Internet required to achieve the same amount of stimulation or satisfaction. Certain withdrawal symptoms are also indicative of this addiction; these include symptoms such as psychomotor agitation and involuntary typing movements of the fingers. A central symptom is the use of the Internet to avoid problems in the real world. (Ferris) These factors show clearly that this addiction is in fact a medically recognized problem.

3. Evidence of Internet addiction

Another factor that adds to the view that Internet addiction is an increasingly serious health and social issue are the number of reports that are received about this condition. There is a growing body of evidence that supports the view that Internet addiction is on the increase. In a study by David Greenfield of 18,000 Internet users (1998) it was found that a high percentages of the internet users who were questioned were "…particularly hooked on chat rooms, pornography, online shopping and e-mail" (DeAngelis T.) Of these approximately one third stated that they "…use the Internet as a form of escape or to alter their mood on a regular basis." (DeAngelis T.) This suggests that there are many underlying reasons for this addictive behavior that can lead to increased abuse and addiction.

It should however also be remembered that not all people who spend a great deal of time on the Internet are addicted. It is important to note that one can only speak of addiction when at the point "…where it starts interfering with their ability to function normally and non-neglectfully at work and in relationships" (Bursten and Dombeck).

The extent of Internet addiction is not known at present. This is due to the fact that it is a relatively new phenomenon and there is not enough diversity among Internet users to make any clear and definitive statement about the extent of this problem ( Ferris).

3. Psychosocial factors and implications

The debate about the reality of this addiction and its severity is underlined by the known effects and consequences of this disorder as reflected in research. Many recent studies of this form of addiction stress that while it may be physically dangerous it is often more likely to lead to changes in behaviour which can negatively affect the individual's social life and normal functioning. One medical expert stated categorically that, "…the effects that the addiction can have on every aspect of the person's life are just as devastating as those of alcoholism…" ( Ferris).

There are many other signs and symptoms of this disorder that have far-reaching implications. Addicts often have a distortion in terms of their perception of time. A decrease of inhibitions is also another indicator of this addiction. These and other symptoms have negative consequences for social and interpersonal relationships. This often occurs with the context of marriage and the family. One report summarizes some of these consequences. "Broken marriages, lost jobs, failing school grades and forgetting to eat are just some of the consequences being reported in media articles as the experience of people who feel they have become addicted to Internet interpersonal communicating" ( King S.A. ). Marriage problems are also related to certain kinds of Internet addiction; for example, those who spend a great deal of time online involved in virtual sexual encounters online. This can also affect the work situation in terms of concentration and attention to tasks. (DeAngelis T.)

The most commonly reported negative social affect of this form of addiction is reported to take place in terms of family disruptions and breakdown. This in turn leads to problems in other areas of the addicted individual's life. "Internet addiction results in personal, family, academic, financial and occupational problems that are characteristic of other addictions" (What is Internet Addiction). These examples therefore… READ MORE

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