Internet Addiction, Excessive Usage, And Gratification

Internet addiction has become a huge problem in today’s society. In Greg Beato’s article, he discusses the growing phenomena of internet addiction disorder. The writer explains that more and more people are becoming addicted to the internet. For example, he tells of a teenager in Ohio, who shot and killed his mom and injured his dad because they took away his Xbox. He tells how it is stated that five to ten percent of the 52 million internet users were addicted. The author is telling us that the internet has become very addictive in our everyday society.

Addiction is everywhere, from celebrity tabloids, to television, and possibly to a family member or close friend. There is alcoholism, drug abuse, and gambling addiction; the effects of such are devastating. The purpose of this paper is to address some of the different forms of addiction and types of addictive behaviors.

There is debate over whether compulsive online gaming will eventually be acknowledged as a process addiction (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2016). Currently, Internet gaming disorder is identified as a condition that needs additional study because it displays diagnostic criteria involving addictive criteria, however it does not endorse a diagnosis at this time (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2016). Internet gaming does acknowledge the following statement,” Internet gaming has been reportedly defined as an addiction by the Chinese government, and a treatment system has been set up” (Capuzzi & Stauffer,2016). There continues to be research that studies Internet gaming addiction, but additional information would help to better understand.

The idea behind the internet was to revolutionize society and with over 3 billion individuals using it, it clearly succeeded (ITU, n.d.). However, individuals started coming online to check their email, watch a video, visit Facebook, or play an online game as a habit, may easily become addicted to these behaviors over time. According to the DSM-V, internet addiction applies to individuals who use the internet excessively, often without realizing how much time has passed, how much more they are using the internet and neglecting their basic needs, as well as, ignoring any negative impacts said internet use has caused (dsm). When not using the internet, the individual may feel withdrawal, angry, tense, and/or depressed; in addition, they may feel the need to have a better computer and more software, which is an internet-addicted individual’s form of tolerance (dsm). Time of use per day in those addicted to the internet is nearly double the time those who are not addicted spend online (Lee,

This article will guide me through my research because it gives a vast perspective into the addictive world. It explains the issues of internet addiction, how it's emerging as a global concern, also how and why the internet has been integrated in our everyday lives.

Behaviour is something we acquire and shape it to fit our requirements. Behaviour is shaped by an individual’s interaction with culture and environment. This behavioural report will focus on the undesired behaviour, which is the heavy internet usage. The report will aim to establish baseline, monitor the behaviour and execute treatments to reduce and control the undesired behaviour. Internet addiction is defined as the indulgent or overuse of the internet. Extreme internet use occurs daily in my life, regardless during anytime of the day. The undesired behaviour that is the internet addiction has to reduce the usage in order to have a positive impact on the life. The heavy internet usage has to be reduced, and in its place introduce hobbies and time for study. Boredom is the main cause for the need to use internet. In the internet there are comics, television shows and other activities that could help elevate boredom. Due to the heavy internet use, socializing with family and friends have been significantly reduced. The repeated heavy internet usage has an impact on the physical burden and mental stressors on my life. The internet usage has been a repeated behaviour since I was twelve years old. The internet usage has been my repeated behaviour for a long time

Various models have been designed to explain the how IAD develops in an individual and how it is then maintained. These models draw from different fields of psychology such to determine different theorised causes for the addiction such as biological factors (such as chemical imbalances making one more susceptible to addiction), psychological predispositions (such as other mental health problems or personality) and social factors (such as culture, socio-economic standing and acceptance of the Internet from others). Whilst these factors are dependant on the individual, some studies include the nature and attributes of the Internet itself. Some models include the cognitive-behavioural model of problematic Internet use, the access, affordability and anonymity engine, the anonymity, convenience and escape model and the comprehensive model of the development and maintenance of Internet addiction.

The following research proposal is determining if there is a correlational relationship between substance addiction and internet gaming addiction. Addiction is still seen in society as a lack of willpower or a flaw in a person’s character. This research will add to current research that is striving to show that addiction is a disease of the mind. Archival research and content analysis will be acquired to provide information on both addictions and possible co-addictions. An interview process will be conducted to gain data from participants that currently suffer from both addictions. The results of this research study are expected to support the hypothesis that if a person has an underlying substance addiction then it could be a factor in developing a secondary behavioral addiction such as internet gaming addiction. The study would add to the existing research being done on addiction. Showing that addiction is not limited to one element of a person’s life.

Many people around the world are addicted to something whether they are aware of it or not. The dictionary definition of addiction is the following - “the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity.” There are two types of addiction that Psychologist Fisher talks about in his research article. One is behavioral addiction such as sex, internet, and overeating which are just a few examples. On the other side of the spectrum, you have substance abuse which includes but is not limited to cocaine, heroin, meth, alcohol abuse and so on. Throughout this essay, I will be comparing and contrasting studies conducted about behavioral addiction and substance abuse.

In the article, “The Bad, the Ugly, and the Good of kids Use of Social Media,” Jim Taylor gives us a definition of the phrase internet addiction. He states, “Internet addiction is commonly characterized as excessive use of internet that interferes with daily functioning and that can lead to distress or harm,”. The addiction from the internet surely has a price to pay. Internet addiction is harmful psychologically, addictions to the internet shouldn’t be our only concern when it comes to social media, and internet addiction has no age limit.

The term is being coined by Dr. Kimberly Young, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, in Bradford, Pa. With her paper's presentation, the APA will classify excessive Internet use as addictive, in the same way that drugs (including alcohol), gambling, video games, and some types of eating

When most people think of addiction, they think of crack heads and alcoholics. Although those are the most common types of addiction, there are also more unusual things. Addiction is a psychological and bodily dependence on a substance or practice which is beyond voluntary control. In a sense, every person has a form of addiction. Weather to caffeine, or food, or cleaning, they are all small kinds of addiction. One addiction that is spreading faster everyday and is gaining a lot of attention is media screen addiction. With technology in today’s day and age, communication and work can be done virtually anywhere in the world. With access to people at all times through the use of media

Technology in today’s world is both fascinating and mind-consuming. The internet is fascinating because it allows one to become a part of an immense world filled with a variety of people and opinions. There is so much knowledge to be gained from it; furthermore, communication between people has never been better. Although the internet is brimming with benefits, it is easy for one to get sucked into the snarl of news articles, social media, politics, as well as everything else lurking on the web. Once one has been snared into the social media’s trap, there is no going back. The lust for more technology will consume more and more of one’s mind every single day until their electronic device is all they can see, feel, and think about. Anthony Doerr wrote the article “Am I Still Here?” to share his own experience of this addiction in hopes to open the eyes of others who have also fallen into the same trap.

There is not a clear stated definition of digital addiction however Shaw and Black (2008) characterize Internet addiction by excessive or poorly preoccupations, urges or behaviours regarding computer use and internet access that lead to impairment or distress. However as the term addict is a strong description DA is seen as a general misuse of the internet in various forms, as no formal definition exists the author sees the disorder as problematic computer usage resulting in negative consequences. According to Young et al DA is a broad term covering a wide variety of behaviours and impulse control problems. K.Young (1999) also categorised DA into five subtypes of DA, they are cybersexual addiction, cyberrelationship addiction; net compulsion (e.g. gambling or shopping on the internet); information overload (e.g. compulsive database searching); and computer addiction (excessive game-playing). This project highlights social network addiction which falls into the category of cyberrelationship addiction but also contemplates all other types.

Computer and the Internet become useful tools in every day life. People are able to work on-line, chat, play games, or do their businesses. Although Internet brings many advantages it also carry a variety of dangers, including the possibility of addiction.