WINTER SEMESTER 2021-22

ETHICS AND VALUES

HUM1032

REPORT ON INTERNET ADDICTION

R. SRINIVAS
21BCC0092
D2 SLOT
13 APRIL 2022
 A REPORT ON INTERNET ADDICTION
TYPES, CAUSES, EFFECTS AND TREATMENT MEASURES
Internet addiction is a broad term that covers a range of behaviours and impulse-control problems
involving internet, personal computer, and mobile technology. Internet Addition Disorder is also
commonly referred to as Compulsive Internet Use (CIU), Problematic Internet Use (PIU), or iDisorder.

TYPES OF INTERNET ADDICTION

 Cybersex Addiction: It involves online pornography, adult websites, sexual fantasy/adult

chat rooms, and XXX webcam services. An obsession with any of these services can be
harmful to one’s ability to form real-world sexual, romantic, or intimate relationships.
 Net Compulsions: Net compulsions concern interactive activities online that can be
extremely harmful, such as online gambling, trading stocks, online auctions (such as eBay),
and compulsive online shopping. These habits can have a detrimental impact on one’s
financial stability and disrupt job-related duties.
 Cyber (Online) Relationship Addiction: Cyber or online relationship addicts are deeply
involved with finding and maintaining relationships online, often forgetting and neglecting
real-life family and friends. Typically, online relationships are formed in chat rooms or
different social networking sites but can occur anywhere one can interact with people
online.
 Compulsive Information Seeking: The internet provides users with a wealth of data and
knowledge. For some, the opportunity to find information so easily has turned into an
uncontrollable urge to gather and organize data. In some cases, information-seeking is a
manifestation of pre-existing, obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Compulsive information-
seeking can also reduce work productivity and potentially lead to job termination.
 Computer Or Gaming Addiction: Computer addiction, sometimes referred to as computer
gaming addiction, involves online and offline activities that can be done with a computer. As
computers became more widely available, games such as Solitaire, Tetris, and Minesweeper
were programmed into their software.

CAUSES OF INTERNET ADDICTION

Some studies link Internet Addiction Disorder to physically changing the brain structure, specifically
affecting the amount of Gray and white matter in regions of the prefrontal brain. Internet Addiction
Disorder, in addition to other dependency disorders, seem to affect the pleasure centre of the
brain. The addictive behaviour triggers a release of dopamine to promote the pleasurable
experience activating the release of this chemical. Over time, more and more of the activity is
needed to induce the same pleasurable response, creating a dependency. The variable
reinforcement effects of Internet addiction are another cause of this behaviour. According to the
Variable Ratio Reinforcement Schedule (VRRS) theory, the reason why you might be so addicted to
Internet activity (e.g., gaming, gambling, shopping, pornography, etc.), is because it provides
multiple layers of rewards. That is, your constant surfing of the Internet leads to multiple rewards
that are unpredictable.

Biological predispositions to Internet Addiction Disorder may also be a contributing factor to the
disorder. If you suffer from this disorder, your levels of dopamine and serotonin may be deficient
compared to the general population. This chemical deficiency may require you to engage in more
behaviours to receive the same pleasurable response compared to individuals not suffering from
addictive Internet behaviours. To achieve this pleasure, individuals may engage in more behaviour to
the general public, increasing their chances for addiction. Predispositions of Internet addiction are
also related to anxiety and depression. Oftentimes, if you are already suffering from anxiety or
depression, you may turn to the Internet to relieve your suffering from these conditions. Similarly,
shy individuals and those with social awkwardness might also be at a higher risk of suffering from
Internet addiction.

EFFECTS OF INTERNET ADDICTION

An internet addiction can have many harmful effects on a person, both physically and emotionally. If
you are suffering from this disorder, it might be affecting your personal relationships, work life,
finances, or school life. Individuals suffering from this condition may be isolating themselves from
others, spending a long time in social isolation and negatively impacting their personal relationships.

 Physical Effects: Body aches, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, insomnia, vision problems, and
weight gain/loss are just some of the physical problems one may suffer as a result of an
internet addiction.
 Emotional Effects: Depression, dishonesty, anxiety, social isolation, aggression, and mood
swings.

TREATMENT MEASURES FOR INTERNET ADDICTION

There is debate in the literature whether treatment is necessary in the first place. Some believe
Internet Addiction Disorder to be a “fad illness” and suggest that it usually resolves itself on its own.
Corrective behaviours include software that controls the Internet use and types of sites that can be
visited – with the majority of professionals in agreement that total abstinence from the computer is
not an effective method of correction.

It is generally thought that if you treat the anxiety or depression, the Internet Addiction may resolve
in step with this treatment approach. Studies have shown that anti-anxiety and anti-depressant
medications have had a profound effect on the amount of time spent on the Internet – in some
cases decreasing rates from 35+ hours a week to 16 hours a week. Physical activity has also been
indicative of effective in increasing serotonin levels and decreasing dependency on the Internet.

Some of the more common psychological treatments of Internet Addiction Disorder include:

 Individual, group, or family therapy

 Behaviour modification
 Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
 Equine Therapy
 Art Therapy
 Recreation Therapy
 Reality Therapy

In many instances, multimodal treatments have been employed to treat Internet Addiction Disorder.
In this method of treatment, if you are suffering from this condition, you might be prescribed both
medications and psychotherapy to treat your addiction to the Internet.

OVERUSE OF ANYTHING MAY LEAD TO ANYTHING ADVERSE, BE ON YOUR LIMITS!