Today the Internet is involved in the life of anyone, of any age. Both on a personal and professional level, the Internet has a role that cannot be compared to anything. It is necessary for people to realize the importance of the internet today, but they must also be aware of the dangers that it can entail if the use of this resource becomes an addiction.

Internet addiction, although not yet listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, has been formally recognized as a disorder by the American Psychological Association. Internet addiction is defined as a problematic use of e-mail, forums, chat rooms, websites and other resources on the Internet to the extent that it interferes with the daily activities and personal relationships of the affected person. 

While Internet addiction is often stereotyped by the media as a problem associated with upper-middle-class young adults, this is a condition that is not defined by age, gender, ethnicity, income, or level of education.

Next we are going to talk to you about what causes Internet addiction so that in this way, you are aware of whether you have this type of problem or not. In the event that you think that you may have an Internet addiction and that you cannot solve this type of addiction on your own, the ideal is that you seek help from a professional so that they can guide you in your recovery process. The Internet is a very useful and necessary tool today, as long as it does not interfere with your quality of life.

Presence of other addictions

The most common theory regarding Internet addiction is that problematic use of technology is simply an extension of other addictive behaviors. For example, online casinos are often irresistible to people struggling with gambling problems . 

If a person with a history of problematic gambling is only using the internet to place bets, their behavior is likely just a progression from their existing gambling addiction and not an entirely different disorder . The same logic would apply to someone with a shopping addiction who can’t stop buying items on eBay or a sex addict who spends eight hours each day looking at pornographic websites.

Shyness or social anxiety

People who are very shy and find it difficult to interact with other people can develop an Internet addiction because meeting people online seems less intimidating than face-to-face communication. The desire for human connection is extremely powerful, even among people who suffer from social anxiety. 

Visiting forums and chat rooms gives them a way to develop relationships without directly facing their fears. They can carefully control how they are perceived by others when they communicate online, even going so far as to create an alternate personality that is not entirely based on reality.

Depression

In some cases, depression can cause internet addiction. Just as certain depressed people turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate their unhappy thoughts, the pleasant experience of being online can become a coping mechanism that helps a person struggling with depression get through the day.

Influences of other people

Modeling plays a role in many different types of behavior problems, including Internet addiction. If important people in a person’s environment engage in excessive use of the Internet , the behavior begins to appear more socially acceptable. For this reason, Internet addiction seems to be more common among people who play online social games like World of Warcraft, for example. Do you think you could have an Internet addiction?