December 2016 Health & Life Magazine

Who Is at Risk of Internet Addiction?
Anyone can develop this kind of addiction, but some people are
more at risk than others. One common trait of most internet addicts
is that they are young, predominantly under the age of 30. Younger
people are more likely to get addicted to the internet because
they grew up around computers, while older people who grew up
in a more computer-free environment may not be in the habit of
reaching for their smartphone when they’re at a loose end. For
young people, using computers and the internet is an easy, intuitive
form of entertainment they’ve been enjoying most of their lives. This
early habituation sets the stage for a greater likelihood of internet
abuse later in life.
People with “addictive personalities” are far more likely to
become addicted to the internet than those who have no history
of addiction. Doing something as simple as checking email or
social media triggers a dopamine response in the brain that’s eerily
similar to the response produced by junk foods, drugs or alcohol.
For people who are prone to addiction, the dopamine rush can lead
to increased internet use that grows into a full-blown addiction. It’s
far from a hard-and-fast rule that internet addicts are addicted to
other things as well, but it is common.
Another risk factor for internet addiction is difficulty navigating
social situations. Introverts, shy people, and people afflicted with
social phobia are all disproportionately represented among
internet addicts. People who have difficulty connecting with others
in real life often have an easier time finding friends and a sense of
community on the internet, with its relative anonymity and lack
of social pressure. If online relationships start eclipsing in-person
relationships, an addiction can easily follow.
Mental health can also affect a person’s likelihood of getting hooked
on the internet. The internet’s lightning-quick, varied stimulation
is inviting to those with ADHD. Personality and mood disorders,
especially anxiety and depression, often go hand-in-hand with
internet addiction as well. The internet provides an outlet where
people can escape their unhappiness temporarily, but this only
makes the situation worse in the long term, since it enables people
to avoid their problems instead of finding ways to deal with them.
When it comes to gender, internet addiction doesn’t discriminate.
Women and men become addicted to the internet in about equal
numbers. However, they tend to favor different online activities.
Women are more likely to look for interpersonal contact online,
such as social media and chat rooms. They’re more likely to seek
out online relationships. Women also are more likely to be addicted
to online shopping than men. Men who are addicted to the internet,
on the other hand, are usually more drawn toward compulsive
gaming, sports and fitness motivation, and shopping for technical or
sports goods.
Internet addiction is a serious matter that can have
detrimental effects on every aspect of your life. If you’re at
risk for developing an internet addiction, be mindful about
how and why you use your electronic devices. It’s easier to
avoid developing an addiction than it is to break one. If you’re
already showing signs of addiction, seek help. You can break
an internet addiction, and the earlier you seek treatment, the
easier the process is.
3 Types of Internet Addiction
Addiction comes in many forms. In the case of internet
addiction, there are three main types you need to look out
for. Take a look at the list below – do you, or someone you
know, abuse the internet?
Information Overload
Information overload is an addiction to surfing the web. If you
can’t stop checking your social media accounts, article-hopping,
scrolling through Wikipedia or checking your email, you might
have this type of internet addiction. Watching videos and
conducting endless Google searches also fall into this category.
Information overload can make you feel like you’re doing
something worthwhile at the time, since your mind is busy and
occupied, but when you have nothing to show for it afterwards,
it’s common to feel guilty or low. People with ADHD can be
particularly prone to developing this type of addiction.
Virtual Relationships
The internet is a useful tool for keeping in touch with people
and meeting others who share your interests, but you can have
too much of a good thing. If you’re getting the majority of your
interpersonal contact and social validation from the internet,
you may have an addiction to virtual relationships. This type of
internet addiction can damage your real-life relationships by
causing you to withdraw from friends and family. Social media
and discussion forums are potential avenues for developing
this type of addiction. Shy people and those who have social
difficulties in real life are particularly vulnerable to virtual
relationship addiction, since the internet is a low-pressure way
to interact with people.
Compulsions
Compulsively playing games, trading stocks, shopping, and
bidding in auctions online are all manifestations of the compulsive
variety of internet addiction. Compulsive internet addicts often
find that their habits interfere with work or school and wreak
havoc on their finances. It’s possible to get addicted to shopping
or trading in real life too, but the online version of the addiction
is more damaging because the internet is available 24/7 and
offers an anominity of sorts, while it takes more effort to find
places to shop in person. Combine the constant accessibility of
the internet with the burst of dopamine that accompanies placing
a winning bid or making a new purchase, and it’s not hard to see
why many people develop this kind of internet addiction.
Letting internet addiction go untreated can have serious
repercussions on your life. Any of these types of internet
abuse can distance you from your loved ones, hurt your
productivity at work or school, and make you feel guilty,
ashamed, or depressed. If you find yourself struggling with
any of these varieties of internet addiction, seek help. It’s
possible to recover and find joy in an unplugged life again.
19
DECEMBER 2016