Internet Addiction - Essay Example

Introduction Internet addiction is the process by which individuals use the internet excessively to the extent that they may fail to perform other pending duties so as to use it. It affects the daily lives of many individuals and has developed to be a disorder in itself that has led to the rehabilitation of individuals. Different individuals have had different arguments concerning the issue. Some of the behaviors criticized include the excessive use of pornography, excessive online social networking, excessive gaming, internet shopping addiction, etc. This paper seeks to analyze the views of different individuals affected by the matter and other issues related to the disorder. Possible Disorder A hot debate has been taking place concerning an argument of whether internet addiction is a disorder or not. Some individuals believe that internet addiction is a disorder just like any other disorder and should join the list of present disorders. Some other individuals believe that there is nothing like internet addiction or a disorder called internet addiction (Julia & Mark, 2004: p.1). Supporters of the Motion One of the arguments by the supporters of the fact that internet addiction is a disorder is that about seven percent of the individuals who are surf suffer from website dependency. These are individuals who cannot do any other work before they use the web (Crispin, 2004: p.151). It comes as a result of the regular use of websites for a long period of time where the individual becomes an addict, just like any other individual can become an addict over the regular use of something over a long period of time. When an individual becomes an addict in something, life without that thing becomes quite hard and the individual may require some assistance from professionals. It is also believed that some of the services offered by the internet affect individuals who use the internet psychologically and may induce distortion, instant gratification and dissociation. These services have adverse effects on the lives of the individuals and may completely alter the moods of individuals over some issues. Some of these services include gaming, sex, shopping online, gambling, etc. According to research, a certain percentage of internet addicts experience some emotional problems such as anxiety and depression-related disorders. These individuals use the fantasy that is found on the internet to escape the stressful situations and the unpleasant feelings that are associated with these emotional problems. Most of the individuals that have gone to seek treatment in the centers for internet addiction recovery have confessed to overindulging in sexual activities like watching pornographic movies on the internet or engaging in dirty sexual conversations over the internet. A large percentage of those seeking treatment also suffer from other addictions such as alcohol, drugs, sex, etc (Carla, 1999: p.6). An argument that has been considered quite valid is the comparison of symptoms of internet addictions with other compulsive disorders. Most of the symptoms of internet addiction are similar to those of compulsive disorders. Some of them include: excessive use as the individual uses it more and more regularly and this is related with a loss of sense of time. Just like in the compulsive disorders, when access is denied, the individual tends to have withdrawal symptoms, increased tolerance and negative effects that may include isolation. Most of the individuals suffering from internet addiction also portray some other mental health disorders. This makes the diagnosis of the disorder quite complicated since the specialists must begin somewhere. Opposition Most of the individuals who oppose the fact that internet addiction is an addiction by itself argue that it is a symptom of other existing disorders (Julia & Mark, 2004: p.1). The title that has been given to the habit gives the individuals that claim to suffer from the disorder an opportunity for a scapegoat. They argue that an individual may chat with another friend over the internet for long hours trying to avoid the occurrence of an unpleasant situation. This is a very usual thing since another individual will use the phone for long hours trying to achieve the same goal. The opposers argue that everybody including the supporters of the state as an addiction agrees that the behavior is related with other existing, legitimate diagnostic labels. Most individuals overuse the internet as a result of the anxiety and depression that they are going through (Andrew, 2005: p.102). This is compared to a patient who overeats without being an addict of eating but taking it as a medication for the anxiety and depression he or she may be going through as a result of the illness. This is an indication that internet addiction may not be an addiction as many would like to take it but an extension of other diagnostic labels. The opposers base their argument on some facts. They argue that a pathological gambler will be a pathological gambler regardless of whether the gambling is done face-to-face or over the internet. Again, whether pornography is watched on an article or over the internet, an individual with a sexual obsession has it and can go ahead and do all that is in his or her mind regardless of where the pornographic pictures are watched. A person who has an obsession to shopping will always shop obsessively whether the shopping is done over the internet, via the phone, or via the e-mail. If an individual has poor impulse control, he or she can dose whether the best movie is going on in the television or on the internet (Julia & Mark, 2004: p.1). Research has shown that the supporters have used the wrong methods in their research in coming up with their arguments and thus, most of their arguments could be invalid. Prevalence of Internet Overuse Most of the previous research shows that internet addiction is not very common in the society. Individuals below the age of eighteen are at a greater risk of developing internet addiction. College students are also likely to become internet addicts more than any other individuals. Prevention and Correction Internet addiction at times corrects itself. However, there are some corrective measures that are used and these may include: counseling the victim, cognitive behavioral therapy and the content-control software (Kimberly, 1998: p.226). Conclusion There has previously been a great controversy between supporters and opposers of internet addiction. The supporters argue that internet addiction is an addiction just like any other addiction while opposers argue that internet addiction cannot be truly defined as internet addiction but as an influence of other diagnostic labels such as anxiety and depression. Young people below the age of eighteen and college students are more likely to be affected by internet addiction. References Andrew, F. W. (2005). Online Communication: Linking Technology, Identity, and Culture. New York: Routledge Publishers, 101-104. Carla, G. S. (1999). Netaholics: The Creation of a Pathology. Cambridge: Nova Publishers, 5-6. Crispin, T. (2004). Computer Mediated Communication: Social Interaction and the Internet. London: Sage Publishers, 150-152. Julia, B. & Mark, D. (2004). Introduction to Internet Addiction. Retrieved on 12-Nov-09 from http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.phptype=doc&id=3830&cn=66 Kimberly, S. Y. (1998). Caught in the Net: How to recognize the Signs of Internet Addiction- and a Winning Strategy For recovery. New York: Wiley Publishers, 222-230. Read More