In a random telephone study performed by Stanford University School of Medicine, 2,513 adults were surveyed for signs of compulsive Internet use. More than 13 percent found it hard to stay away from the Internet for days at a time, and almost 6 percent admitted that their Internet use has caused problems for their relationships. Internet addiction comes in a variety of forms, which is why it's difficult to diagnose. Look for signs of the types of Internet addiction in your own use of the Internet to discern whether you have a problem.
Cyber-Sexual
Cyber-sexual Internet addiction is the categorization if you access the Internet compulsively for sexual purposes, according to Texas State University. Pornography, adult-only chat rooms and fee membership websites account for as many as 4.2 million websites on the Internet, and 40 million adults admit to using the Internet regularly for sexual purposes, according to Brigham Young University.
Cyber-Relationship
An addiction can form when you use the Internet as a way to make relationships with other people. You might prefer chat rooms, message boards and Internet dating sites to the face-to-face relationships of your daily life. Online dating and creating online emotional affairs when you have a spouse is also considered a cyber-relationship addiction. You might also care more deeply about the thoughts and opinions of those you've never met than those of your own family or friends.
Net Compulsions
Net compulsions include any number of addictive behaviors that may cost you money, like online gambling, online trading or using online auction sites to purchase items. You receive a rush of adrenaline from these compulsions that leaves you feeling satisfied after a purchase or win. That feeling is craved afterward, leading to a life of online compulsion addiction that leaves you chained to the Internet for your next hit of adrenaline.
Information Overload
The Internet is the easiest place to receive information and news occurring all over the world. If you find yourself obsessed with being up to date on the latest information, you could be suffering from an information overload addiction, according to AddictionsWeb.com. Whether it's economic news, the gossip from celebrity websites or general information, information overload can leave you feeling withdrawal when you are away from the computer.
Gaming
The American Academy of Family Physicians acknowledges the problem of gaming addiction. Massively multiplayer online role-playing games, or MMORPGs, are played to attain higher ranks and points and can cause addictive behavior. Excess playing time can lead to depression, sleep deprivation and the eventual decline of human relationships, especially when gaming takes priority over family or marriage time.
References
- EurekAlert: Internet Addiction: Stanford Study Seeks to Define Whether It's a Problem
- Texas State University: Internet Addiction
- Brigham Young University: National Pornography Statistics
- Addictions Web: Types of Internet Addiction
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Internet Gaming: A Hidden Addiction
