“Internet Addiction”: a Conceptual Minefield

Abstract

With Internet connectivity and technological advancement increasing dramatically in recent years, “Internet addiction” (IA) is emerging as a global concern. However, the use of the term ‘addiction’ has been considered controversial, with debate surfacing as to whether IA merits classification as a psychiatric disorder as its own entity, or whether IA occurs in relation to specific online activities through manifestation of other underlying disorders. Additionally, the changing landscape of Internet mobility and the contextual variations Internet access can hold has further implications towards its conceptualisation and measurement. Without official recognition and agreement on the concept of IA, this can lead to difficulties in efficacy of diagnosis and treatment. This paper therefore provides a critical commentary on the numerous issues of the concept of “Internet addiction”, with implications for the efficacy of its measurement and diagnosticity.

Are smartphones really that bad? Improving the psychological measurement of technology-related behaviors

“…For example, the idea that problematic technology use can be framed as a behavioral addiction is widely accepted despite being poorly defined (Van Rooij et al, 2018). As before, the enormity of activities that can be performed on a smartphone immediately make this definition difficult (Doughty et al, 2012;Ellis et al, 2018a;Ryding & Kaye, 2018). This has, in turn, led to the proliferation of 'treatment' programs that lack empirical support.…”

Internet Addiction and Its Impact on Physical Health

“…Traditionally, the term "addiction" has been associated with psychoactive substances such as alcohol and tobacco. Features of internet addiction were initially proposed by Young (4) in 1998 based on the criteria of pathological gambling, later adapted and included in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-V). Before this, the term "internet addiction" was first proposed by psychiatrist Dr. Ivan Goldberg to describe the pathological usage of internet (5).…”

Ethics of the Attention Economy: The Problem of Social Media Addiction

“…Third, the same molecular pathways (e.g., dopaminergic) that operate in substance addictions are implicated in internet addiction (Hou, Jia, Hu, Fan, Sun, Sun, & Zhang, 2012;Shaffer et al, 2004;Tian et al, 2014). Although the question of whether internet addiction should be recognized as an addictive disorder is still sometimes debated (Cash, Rae, Steel, & Winkler, 2012;Pies, 2009;Ryding & Kaye, 2018), here we adopt the emerging consensus that compulsive and excessive use of the internet is as much a true addiction as a substance addiction (Aboujaoude, 2010;Grant et al, 2010;Hammond, Mayes, & Potenza, 2014;Kuss & Griffiths, 2012;Shaw & Black, 2008;Spada, 2014;Weinstein & Lejoyeux, 2010;Young, 1998b).…”