F&Q

1. How do you know if you have Internet addiction (IA) ?

No single behavior pattern defines Internet addiction. These behaviors, when they have taken control of addicts’ lives and become unmanageable:

compulsive use of the Internet

a preoccupation with being online

lying or hiding the extent or nature of your online behavior

an inability to control or curb your online behavior

If your Internet use pattern interferes with your life in any way shape or form, (e.g. does it impact your work, family life, relationships, school, etc.) you may have a problem. In addition, if you find that you are using the Internet as a means to regularly alter your mood you may be developing a problem. It is important to note that it is not the actual time spent online that determines if you have a problem, but rather how that time you spend impacts your life

2. What causes Internet addiction?

Presence of Other Addictions

Shyness or Social Anxiety

Depression

3. What are the types of Internet Addiction?

Sexting and online sex addiction are still the most common form of Internet addiction. The widespread availability of sexual content online has given rise to a nearly 60% of new cases of online sex addiction from mobile use. New problems related to Internet infidelity and online affairs have also emerged as a sub-type of Internet abuse leading to new trends in divorce and marital separation.

video games and online role-playing games are the fastest growing forms of Internet addiction, especially in China, Taiwan, and Korea.

4. Do men and women differ in what they become addicted to?

Gender influences the types of applications and underlying reasons for Internet addiction. Men tend to seek out dominance and sexual fantasy online, while women seek out close friendships, romantic partners, and prefer anonymous communication in which to hide their appearance. Men are more likely to become addicted to online games, cyberporn, and online gambling, while women are more likely to become addicted to sexting, testing, social media, eBay, and online shopping. It seems to be a natural conclusion that attributes of gender played out online parallel the stereotypes men and women have in our society.

5. What can you do about Internet addiction if you feel you have it?

Treatment options for Internet addicts include inpatient, outpatient, and aftercare support, and self-help groups. Treatment options may also include family counseling, support groups, and educational workshops for addicts and their families to help them understand the facets of belief and family life that are part of the addiction. Unlike recovering alcoholics who must abstain from rinking for life, treatment for Internet addiction focuses on moderation and controlled use of the Internet, much in the way those suffering from eating disorders must relearn healthy eating patterns. Dr. Young’s program is based on cognitive-behavioral techniques to achieve a healthy digital diet of moderated and controlled use along with a comprehensive psychosocial approach to address the underlying problems in a person’s life creating the need to use the Internet as a way of escape.

6.Emotional Symptoms of Online Addiction

The following symptoms are typical of online addicts:

Feelings of guilt

Anxiety

Depression

Dishonesty

Euphoric feelings when in front of the computer

Unable to keep schedules

No sense of time

Isolation

Defensiveness

Avoiding doing work

Agitation