Exploring Internet Addiction as a Process Addiction

Abstract

Internet addiction is an emerging global problem with inconsistent nomenclature, diagnostic criteria, and assessment tools. This review explores the complex and conflicting reports of Internet addiction in the literature in an effort to pinpoint the status of this phenomenon. We cite literature related to process additions in order to provide a framework for Internet addiction's potential place amongst diagnosable disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5). Clinical implications of working with people with Internet addiction are emphasized, as is the need for future research.

Links between Adolescents' Deep and Surface Learning Approaches, Problematic Internet Use, and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO)

“…Due to the widespread options of connecting online (through smartphone, tablet, computer, etc. ), the Internet has become central in adolescents' lives, as they use it for leisure (e.g., listening to music, watching movies, playing online games), communication (with friends and family), and learning (school tasks, general knowledge; Carlisle et al, 2016 ; Wu and Chen, 2015 ). Several studies have examined the relationships between Internet use and academic performance, indicating positive links between the latter and Internet information seeking among high school students ( Chen et al, 2014 ; Zhu et al, 2011 ).…”

“…Adolescent students are heavy users of social media tools relative to the general population and use them extensively for leisure, communication with peers, and learning ( Lenhart et al, 2015a ). The characteristics attributed typically to ‘net generation’ students are information technology mindset and highly developed multitasking skills ( Carlisle et al, 2016 ). Previous work showed positive links between Internet information seeking and higher academic performance among high school students ( Chen et al, 2014 ).…”

Online erotica usage as a mediator between internet addiction and engagement in risky online sexual behaviors

“…There has also been considerable debate as to its definition and diagnosis (Carlisle, Carlisle, Polychronopoulos, Goodman-Scott & Kirk-Jenkins, 2016;Young, 2015), especially as Internet Addiction is not included in DSM-5 as a diagnosable disorder. Additionally, although most researchers generally agree that Internet addiction is maladaptive and related to uncontrolled or compulsive behavior related to Internet use (e.g., Caplan, 2003;Davis, 2001;Griffiths, 1996;Young, 1998a), there is some debate on whether or not it constitutes an independent construct, especially when it serves as a gateway to other types of addictive behaviors, like Internet gambling, Internet gaming, or sex site addictions (Bőthe, Tóth-Király, & Orosz, 2015;Griffiths, Kuss, Billieux, & Pontes, 2016;Jones & Hertlein, 2012;Pawlikowski et al, 2014;Starcevic, 2013;Starcevic & Aboujaoude, 2015).…”

“…From this perspective, Internet addiction can be parsed out into, may be comorbid with, and may predict other types of addictive Internet behaviors. Meanwhile, other researchers approach Internet addiction as a component of a larger family of addictions (e.g., Billieux, 2012;Carlisle, et al, 2016) which have been classified by some (e.g., Carlisle et al, 2016) as process addictions (or compulsive behaviors and urges that are disruptive to functioning; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). These perspectives are not mutually exclusive, and as we have gathered more empirical evidence on Internet addiction, it is becoming clear that our understanding of the construct is still evolving.…”

Tecnotest: Desarrollo de una herramienta de screening de adicciones tecnológicas y juego

“…En lo que se refiere al móvil y redes sociales, y con independencia de si se trata de trastornos mentales, que es lo que se clasifica en los manuales de la APA y de la OMS, existe evidencia clínica, científica y un amplio consenso social acerca de la existencia de problemas psicológicos de índole adictiva relacionados con el uso de las TIC (Block, 2008;Chóliz, 2010;Echeburúa, Labrador y Becoña, 2009;Petry y O´Brien, 2013). El hecho de que se consideren como un trastorno mental o como un problema psicológico es actualmente objeto de debate (Carlisle, Carlisle, Polychronopoulos, Goodman-Scott y Kirk-Jenkins, 2016;Kuss y Griffiths, 2017;Northrup, Lapierre, Kirk y Rae, 2015), pero lo que no cabe duda es de que hay personas que en su uso de las tecnologías muestran los principales criterios que definen las adicciones (tolerancia, presencia de síndrome de abstinencia, dificultad en controlar la conducta, obsesión por su uso, etcétera). Las principales adicciones a las tecnologías serían Internet/redes sociales (Tsai y Lin, 2003;Young, 1998) y móvil (Billieux, Van der Linden, d´Acremont, Ceschi y Zermatten, 2007;Chóliz, 2010), además de los videojuegos (Griffiths, Kuss y King 2012;, que ya han sido mencionados anteriormente y que sí que se considera como un trastorno mental, especialmente por la OMS.…”