The Internet has been a great advance for human society, changing the way we behave, work, learn and interact with others. But with the advancement of technology, we tend to spend more and more time online. How do we know the line between health and Internet addiction?
What is the Internet Addiction?
What can we do to not become addicted to the Internet
What is the Internet Addiction?
Addiction caused by the use of the Internet must be approached with the same seriousness with which other addictions are approached – alcohol, drugs, etc. A person can be said to suffer from Internet addiction when they feel an uncontrollable need to spend a lot of time online, to the point where other aspects of their life – interpersonal relationships, work or health – are affected and neglected. Data shows that more than 210 million people worldwide suffer from Internet and Social Media addiction.
The person who becomes addicted to the use of the Internet feels the need to spend more and more time online to feel a state of well-being, of fulfillment. When she does not have access to the Internet, she experiences a variety of negative emotions.
Causes and risk factors
People suffering from Internet addiction feel the need to take refuge in the online environment, escaping from the real world, for various reasons:
- The first and most obvious cause is constant exposure to advanced technology. Most jobs require an Internet connection and the use of certain technologies, so it can be tempting to spend more time online.
- Personality problems. For example, people suffering from anxiety or depression are prone to become addicted to the Internet. The perceived lack of emotional support makes them take refuge in the online environment to fulfill this need.
- Shyness. People who are shy experience an inferiority complex because of which they cannot build relationships with those around them, not accepted in different social circles. They end up relying on the virtual environment to feel comfortable. They believe that there they can reveal their true personality. This is a mirage, lacking in real foundation, because in the online environment, we tend to expose the best version of ourselves or an ideal one, which in reality, does not exist.
- Escapism. The Internet is a boundless world where we can take refuge to forget about problems and negative emotions. Because it makes us feel good, we feel the need to access the Internet for even more good feelings.
- The feeling of instant gratification. Search engines help us find what we are looking for quite quickly – from general information and gambling to pornography. This aspect can encourage spending a rather long, and only subsequently timed, time in the online environment.
Symptoms
Emotional:
- Depression
- Feeling of guilt
- Anxiety
- Feeling pleasure, satisfaction, and even euphoria, while using the Internet
- Inability to prioritize activities or follow a well-established schedule
- Social isolation
- Losing track of time
- Defensive attitude
- Tendency to avoid work
- State of agitation
- Changes in behavior
- Feeling of loneliness
- Loss of patience for repetitive tasks
- Procrastination (putting things off without a fixed date)
Physical:
- Headache, back, neck pain
- Insomnia
- Malnutrition
- Poor personal hygiene
- Dry eyes or other ophthalmological conditions, caused by prolonged exposure to screen light
- Weight fluctuations
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Smartphone and Social Media Addiction
The smartphone has become, over time, an extension of us, being the device we access most often in everyday life. With the help of the phone, we set our alarm for the next morning, order food or use Social Media platforms to interact with others.
The smartphone is the last thing people look at at night, before going to bed, which can only lead to a restless sleep. Also, studies show that we spend more time looking at a cell phone screen than making eye contact with other people.
In addition, with technological advances, we use the smartphones mostly to browse social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp. Unfortunately, their excessive use diminishes direct, live contact with others and encourages the creation of an ideal and false image of oneself – online we can be whoever we want to be. Moreover, addiction to Social Media is a recognized global phenomenon, which is on a growing trend.
In 2018, 3.1 billion people used Social Media globally, and the number of social media users increased by 32% (362 million new users). A person spends, on average, two hours a day on Social Media; that’s more than five years of life.
Teens who use their smartphones for more than 5 hours a day are twice as likely to develop symptoms of depression than those who use their phones for just 1 hour a day. Also, a study conducted in 2018 showed that young women, who are not in any relationship, are more likely to develop an addiction to Social Media.
Apart from accessing social networks, we can also talk about the addiction to shopping online or looking for different information, through the smartphone.
Video game addiction
Video game addiction affects the behavior of the person concerned in the long term and leads to social isolation, mood swings, and attention directed only to the game, completely excluding the performance of other everyday activities.
Online gambling addiction
Just like real-life gambling addiction, online gambling is just as risky. Unfortunately, the Internet has made it easy to access sites that promote such games, and they have proliferated alarmingly in recent times.
This addiction can cause problems in relationships with those around you and can interfere with work activities. This can lead to serious financial problems. Gambling addiction means that the person cannot control their urges to gamble, even though they know that doing so may have negative consequences for themselves or their loved ones.
Symptoms of gambling addiction
This addiction is often referred to as the “invisible disease.” It does not give symptoms as obvious as in the case of drug or alcohol use, for example. People suffering from such an addiction usually deny the problem, both to others and to themselves.
I feel the need to be discreet about gambling. They can play in secret or lie about the time allocated to this activity because those close to them will not understand.
They play even when they don’t have the necessary money. Thus, they get into debt, spend the money allocated for other activities, borrow money, and even end up selling items from the house or stealing to be able to play.
Family and friends worry and realize there is a problem.
Internet and phone addiction in children
Children learn to use devices such as mobile phones or tablets even before they learn to speak, write or read well. They were born in the digital age and tend to learn much faster to use new technologies.
In America, for example, in 2015 (the last year for which international figures are available) 9 out of 10 15-year-olds had access to a smartphone. They spent an average of 18.5 hours per week online, almost five hours more than in 2012.
Although there are no confirmed statistics yet, likely, the number of hours is likely much higher.
In Germany, 67% of children between the ages of 10 and 11 already have their smartphones. This percentage reaches 88% for children between the ages of 12 and 13 and 96% for those between the ages of 13 and 14. Children use smartphones to send messages to friends and schoolmates, watch videos, play online games and access platforms such as Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat.
The effects of excessive Internet and smartphone use by children:
- Loss of ability to develop certain skills. A child who spends a lot of time in the virtual environment tends to limit contact with the real world; creativity and adaptability to the surrounding reality suffer.
- Insomnia.
- Sedentarism and weight gain. Children who tend to spend a lot of time online do not feel the need to play in nature and exercise.
- The risk of cyberbullying – harassment in the online environment. Children may receive threatening messages or negative comments from peers/friends about the way they look or dress.
- Decreased productivity at school. Children who have smartphones from a young age tend to access them if they are bored during classes. Thus, they lose touch with the information taught.
A child must spend time exploring the environment and interacting with others to enjoy healthy emotional development.
What parents can do to ensure balanced use of the Internet:
- Limit children’s access to the Internet. Specialists recommend the absolute restriction of technology until the age of two. Above this age, up to 5 years, parents allow one hour per day of technology use.
- Install only age-appropriate apps on children’s phones.
- Control the websites that children browse by blocking access to certain platforms.
- Not to use the Internet excessively and to be a good role model for children. Sometimes parents also tend to pay more attention to their smartphones than their children.
If they notice significant behavioral changes, it is advisable to visit a psychology office.
Effects of Internet Addiction
- Social isolation. People who develop Internet addiction tend to isolate themselves from others, with a negative impact on personal relationships
- Distrust and lack of honesty – they tend to hide the real time they spend online and no longer trust others
- Serious financial problems. Internet addiction can lead to major financial problems. They are generated by the loss of desire and will to work or due to excessive spending of money on the Internet
- Inability or difficulty interacting with other people in real life
- Losing the pleasure of doing real-life activities with real people
- Decreased productivity at work or school
- Low self-esteem caused by lack of social interactions
Internet addiction treatment
The first step to treating this addiction is recognizing that there is a problem. As time goes by, the addiction gets worse and the effects become more and more visible. The good news is that this addiction is treatable, with specialized help.
When we notice in others (or even in ourselves) unhealthy manifestations, which can hide Internet addiction, it is important to immediately seek specialized medical help, such as individual psychotherapy.
It is important to do as many activities as possible that take place away from the virtual world:
- spending time with close people, family or friends, in nature
- practicing a sport
- discovering and consecrating a hobby, etc
Otherwise, the symptoms intensify and the addiction will be harder to cure.
But if that person reaches the stage where Internet addiction has already generated depression and/or anxiety, it is necessary to seek psychiatric advice. Specialists can prescribe medication as needed.
What can we do to not become addicted to the Internet
- We may consciously limit our computer access and use of certain applications on our phone
- We can give up using the phone before going to bed, to have a restful sleep
- Spending free time with other people, with pleasant activities, in nature, avoiding the online environment
- Each hour spent online must be followed by a break of at least 10 minutes
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle – exercise and sport. The release of dopamine and serotonin (the happy hormone) will make us feel better
Conclusions
As with any other aspect of life, whether we’re talking about nutrition, rest or work life, when it comes to time spent online, balance and moderation are needed.
“Any form of addiction is bad, whether the narcotic is alcohol, morphine or idealism,” said Carl Jung, the Swiss founder of analytical psychology.
In other words, it is important for our health – both physical and mental – to stay away from certain harmful behaviors or dangerous substances.