Internet Addiction?

Fathom · 10-08-2018 8:24pm

"Internet addiction appears as mental health concern for UK university students. 3.2% of the students were classified as being addicted to the Internet." Source: Daria J.Kuss, Mark D.Griffiths, and Jens F.Binder, Internet addiction in students: Prevalence and risk factors, Computers in Human Behavior, Volume 29, Issue 3, May 2013, Pages 959-966.

Black Swan · 10-08-2018 9:52pm

Alternatively, perhaps Internet use is simply and more generally a different type of existence, to that offered by the three dimensional, less compliant real world...

Ref: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind-change/201504/is-surfing-the-internet-addictive

mzungu · 11-08-2018 5:13pm

A "fine line between enjoyment and addiction", but where does personal responsibility come into it?

If playing to many games starts to impact on ones life, who is to blame?

Link:https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/lifestyle/features/highs-and-lows-of-gaming-a-fine-line-between-enjoyment-and-addiction-860642.html

Fathom · 12-08-2018 10:01pm

New research based definitions of addiction and responsibility during a rapidly changing technological evolution?

mzungu · 13-08-2018 8:00pm

Fathom wrote: »

New research based definitions of addiction and responsibility during a rapidly changing technological evolution?

It appears to have entered the entertainment industry...

Russell Kane has said he is having counselling for internet addiction.

The comedian said he is no longer in control of how he uses his phone so has sought help.

Speaking on his Joe.co.uk podcast, Boys Don’t Cry with Russell Kane, he said: “I’ll throw something out there. I’ve had six counselling sessions for internet addiction. Six, because it’s affecting my life.

Link: https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/entertainment/russell-kane-ive-had-counselling-sessions-for-internet-addiction-858240.html

Black Swan · 14-08-2018 12:51am

mzungu wrote: »

It appears to have entered the entertainment industry...

When you said entertainment, the first thing that popped into my mind was something humourous like a skit by Trevor Noah, or Stephen Colbert, or Seth Meyers. Rereading your quote I now see it was a more serious concern for Internet addiction.

Fathom · 15-08-2018 5:34pm

Few diagnostic tools exist that measure Internet addiction with reliability and validity. A factorial study of the Young Internet Addiction Test (IAT) online version suggested two factors that explained 91% of the total variance: dependent use and excessive use. The sample was purposive and small (n=215). More studies should be conducted. Reference: Lauren A. Jelenchickab, Tara Beckerc, and Megan A. Morenoa, Assessing the psychometric properties of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) in US college students, Psychiatry Research, Volume 196, Issues 2–3, 30 April 2012, Pages 296-301.

mzungu · 17-08-2018 11:32pm

Black Swan wrote: »

When you said entertainment, the first thing that popped into my mind was something humourous like a skit by Trevor Noah, or Stephen Colbert, or Seth Meyers. Rereading your quote I now see it was a more serious concern for Internet addiction.

I was thinking more that when things like this become tabloid fodder it merely becomes just another point of gossip to sell magazines and whatnot. No disrespect to the comedian I mentioned in my post above, he obviously has some psychological issue that needs to be attended to. I am not sure that internet addiction becoming an addiction du jour to flog papers will further understanding about it.

Fathom wrote: »

Few diagnostic tools exist that measure Internet addiction with reliability and validity. A factorial study of the Young Internet Addiction Test (IAT) online version suggested two factors that explained 91% of the total variance: dependent use and excessive use. The sample was purposive and small (n=215). More studies should be conducted.

Reference: Lauren A. Jelenchickab, Tara Beckerc, and Megan A. Morenoa, Assessing the psychometric properties of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) in US college students, Psychiatry Research, Volume 196, Issues 2–3, 30 April 2012, Pages 296-301.

Would you say study also across multiple countries/cultures too is in order to spot any recurring traits that occur with all groupings?

Black Swan · 20-08-2018 12:57am

mzungu wrote: »

I was thinking more that when things like this become tabloid fodder it merely becomes just another point of gossip to sell magazines and whatnot.

Unfortunately the red tops profit, while the literature does not.

Fathom · 20-08-2018 8:07pm

Sensationalized Internet addiction content. Ratings and sales attract advertisers. Advertisers provide profit. Ethics of journalism of small consequence.

mzungu · 20-08-2018 10:35pm

Fathom wrote: »

Sensationalized Internet addiction content. Ratings and sales attract advertisers. Advertisers provide profit. Ethics of journalism of small consequence.

It's all about the money now. There is good journalism out there, however it gets weighed under with a lot of the sub-standard stuff. Essentially, they (legacy media) are still grappling with the digital age!

Fathom · 24-08-2018 3:47am

mzungu wrote: »

It's all about the money now. There is good journalism out there, however it gets weighed under with a lot of the sub-standard stuff. Essentially, they (legacy media) are still grappling with the digital age!

Agree.

mzungu · 26-08-2018 11:13pm

One wonders, is online gaming addiction different to say, a social media addiction? Or a general browsing addiction? Does everything internet related come under the umbrella?

Black Swan · 27-08-2018 12:06am

I've seen both online gaming addiction and Internet addiction citations in the scholarly literature, often separated by topic. One would think that they may be treated differently, although I am uncertain that the marginal notes in DSM V make a difference evident.

Fathom · 27-08-2018 10:32pm

Brian D. Ng and Peter Wiemer-Hastings (June 2005), Addiction to the Internet and Online Gaming, CyberPsychology & BehaviorVol. 8, No. 2.

mzungu · 30-08-2018 5:46pm

Black Swan wrote: »

I've seen both online gaming addiction and Internet addiction citations in the scholarly literature, often separated by topic. One would think that they may be treated differently, although I am uncertain that the marginal notes in DSM V make a difference evident.

Fathom wrote: »

Brian D. Ng and Peter Wiemer-Hastings (June 2005), Addiction to the Internet and Online Gaming, CyberPsychology & BehaviorVol. 8, No. 2.

The Net Addiction states that the types of net addiction are "related to Internet gambling, shopping, eBay, or to gaming in general can be explained using the ACE Model, developed in the late 90s to describe the variables that make online use addictive".

Accessibility - Prior to the net, one had to travel to gamble, now the only travelling you have to do is the walk to wherever in your house the computer is.

Control - People now have personal control over their online activities and the compulsive behaviour can be hidden quite easily.

Excitement - A rush that comes with winning, or thinking you might (the house always wins remember).

Black Swan · 01-09-2018 2:39am

The Center for Internet Addiction? CBT-IA? Digital Detox? Should caution be used regarding this site?

Fathom · 01-09-2018 4:02am

Digital detox? Interesting concept.

Black Swan · 04-09-2018 10:09am

There are daily addiction advertisements on the telly, but they deal with drugs and alcohol, not Internet addiction. Makes me wonder when they will add the latest item to the addiction list?

mzungu · 07-09-2018 8:42pm

Black Swan wrote: »

The Center for Internet Addiction? CBT-IA? Digital Detox? Should caution be used regarding this site?

Most of the stuff on the site is fairly run of the mill for this kind of thing. I wouldn't treat it as being definitive, but rather one voice in the discussion kind of thing...even if that voice is wide of the mark!

mzungu · 07-09-2018 8:46pm

Fathom wrote: »

Digital detox? Interesting concept.

Back to landlines and teletext!

mzungu · 07-09-2018 8:49pm

Black Swan wrote: »

There are daily addiction advertisements on the telly, but they deal with drugs and alcohol, not Internet addiction. Makes me wonder when they will add the latest item to the addiction list?

These things usually need something to bring them into the mainstream, or at least get the mainstream talking about it. It will most likely be some celeb that popularises it.

Black Swan · 09-09-2018 3:49pm

mzungu wrote: »

These things usually need something to bring them into the mainstream, or at least get the mainstream talking about it. It will most likely be some celeb that popularises it.

Indeed. If past news media practices predict future, some celebrity or their child will have Internet addiction problems, and all of sudden it will be the rage to talk about.

Fathom · 09-09-2018 6:27pm

Black Swan wrote: »

Indeed. If past news media practices predict future, some celebrity or their child will have Internet addiction problems, and all of sudden it will be the rage to talk about.

Anecdotal media sensationalized case study level examples rule.

mzungu · 09-09-2018 10:37pm

Black Swan wrote: »

Indeed. If past news media practices predict future, some celebrity or their child will have Internet addiction problems, and all of sudden it will be the rage to talk about.

Fathom wrote: »

Anecdotal media sensationalized case study level examples rule.

The interesting thing to note will be, does the internet get blamed for it? Eg. Rock music was blamed for social ills in the 80s and computer games were blamed in the 90s. IIRC both of them got the blame in the naughties. Will internet addiction be used as convenient fall guy for the social ills of the 2020s etc?

Fathom · 11-09-2018 1:11am

mzungu wrote: »

Will internet addiction be used as convenient fall guy for the social ills of the 2020s etc?

Interesting question/observation mzungu.

Black Swan · 11-09-2018 3:47pm

Fathom wrote: »

case study level

Obviously very little empirical value.

Fathom · 15-09-2018 5:21pm

Black Swan wrote: »

Obviously very little empirical value.

What if longitudinal? Like medical cases. Or frequent small samples analyzed by SPC?

mzungu · 17-09-2018 9:45pm

Fathom wrote: »

What if longitudinal? Like medical cases. Or frequent small samples analyzed by SPC?

Might be the best way to go from here I would say. At this early stage, there are bound to be some big changes to theories of internet addiction as it becomes studied more.

Black Swan · 20-09-2018 3:54am

Wallace's Wheel of Science inductive side: data to empirical generalisations to theory (or theory revisions).

mzungu · 20-09-2018 11:54pm

Interestingly, the American Psychiatric Association have distanced themselves from 'social media addiction' or 'internet addiction' by not including it as a behavioural disorder in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Instead they have it listed as a 'condition for further study.' They believe at this point it has not been studied enough, and that it rests largely on anecdotal evidence.

https://www.medpagetoday.com/psychiatry/addictions/75194

Black Swan · 22-09-2018 4:37pm

"Intexticated is a term coined to refer to an individual who is distracted by texting or composing an email on a handheld device while walking or driving, and is therefore unaware of the surroundings."

Saw an auto accident occur in a parking lot earlier this week where "intexticated" was the cause.

Fathom · 22-09-2018 6:01pm

Black Swan wrote: »

"Intexticated is a term coined to refer to an individual who is distracted by texting or composing an email on a handheld device while walking or driving, and is therefore unaware of the surroundings."

Student walked into me. Intexticated.

Black Swan · 23-09-2018 4:34am

Fathom wrote: »

Student walked into me. Intexticated.

Behavior or addiction or both, a ubiquitous social condition.

mzungu · 23-09-2018 9:28pm

Black Swan wrote: »

"Intexticated is a term coined to refer to an individual who is distracted by texting or composing an email on a handheld device while walking or driving, and is therefore unaware of the surroundings."

Saw an auto accident occur in a parking lot earlier this week where "intexticated" was the cause.

Fathom wrote: »

Student walked into me. Intexticated.

Black Swan wrote: »

Behavior or addiction or both, a ubiquitous social condition.

This kind of thing was called 'lack of cop on' back before phones were around!

Fathom · 24-09-2018 12:42am

mzungu wrote: »

This kind of thing was called 'lack of cop on' back before phones were around!

A rose...

Black Swan · 03-10-2018 6:02pm

To what extent is Internet addiction a social construction?

Fathom · 03-10-2018 7:40pm

Nature vs nurture?

mzungu · 03-10-2018 9:05pm

I think the construct of internet addiction is undeveloped in academia, making a real world application of what it means to be addicted to the internet highly problematic. Without a sufficient theoretical base on which to draw out an applicable concept, it leaves one thinking that the boundaries between academic internet addiction and real world internet addiction being two works in progress. I say that because the addictive behaviours themselves may be a personality trait, and to draw a conclusion or even a reasonably informed guess at this stage is nigh on impossible.

As to whether it is a social construct, there could be an argument made there alright. However, as noted above, at this point I would want a few more conclusive studies to enter into the public sphere and for those to be backed up my medical professionals on the ground.

Black Swan · 07-10-2018 8:46pm

mzungu wrote: »

I think the construct of internet addiction is undeveloped in academia, making a real world application of what it means to be addicted to the internet highly problematic. Without a sufficient theoretical base on which to draw out an applicable concept, it leaves one thinking that the boundaries between academic internet addiction and real world internet addiction being two works in progress.

Excellent observation mzungu. Certainly an opportunity for researchers to investigate with rigour this problem and publish results for peer review.

Fathom · 08-10-2018 3:02am

Research problem with potential. And a future.

Black Swan · 10-10-2018 4:59pm

Fathom wrote: »

Research problem with potential. And a future.

Find RFP and reply? Try NIH or NSF.

aluminium · 11-10-2018 11:31pm

As I said to a friend recently, you know you have too much time on your hands when you run out of things to look at on the internet.

mzungu · 14-10-2018 6:19pm

China has specified the definition and diagnostic standard for Internet addiction.

Internet addiction refers to one exhibiting uncontrollable internet use without being affected by other addictive substances, said the document released by China’s National Health Commission last week.

The symptoms of Internet addiction include academic, professional and social dysfunction following internet overuse, according to the document.

The duration of addictive actions is a major criterion in diagnosing such a disorder, with symptoms having to have lasted at least 12 months.

Link: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2018/10/05/definition-and-diagnosis-for-internet-addiction-specified/

The article also mentions that adolescent Internet dependence in China is at 10% as opposed to 6% worldwide.

A good point raised by one of the authors of the study (and raised in this thread by a few posters) was that Internet addiction is related to other psychological issues like anxiety and depression and its clinical treatment should also conform to the regulations of addressing those issues.

I think those comments add weight to the claims that addictive behaviours existed prior to the devices and that the Internet label brings very little to the table.

Black Swan · 20-10-2018 1:14pm

mzungu wrote: »

I think those comments add weight to the claims that addictive behaviours existed prior to the devices and that the Internet label brings very little to the table.

Indeed.

Fathom · 17-11-2018 10:50pm

Addictive behavior as a concept. Internet addiction as one variable measuring concept.

mzungu · 19-11-2018 10:26pm

Fathom wrote: »

Addictive behavior as a concept. Internet addiction as one variable measuring concept.

Good point.

Some more questionable assertions about internet addiction...

When digital technology stops working, people with a fear of missing out (FOMO) -- the anxiety that you're missing a social experience others might be having while you're not online -- or an internet addiction have more extreme reactions, according to a new study in Heliyon.

Would this not be the feeling you might get if you did not get tickets to a sold out concert, or had to take a rain check on a night out because of flu etc?

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181101133843.htm

Fathom · 20-11-2018 8:54pm

mzungu wrote: »

Would this not be the feeling you might get if you did not get tickets to a sold out concert

Sold out concert phobia?

Black Swan · 20-11-2018 10:22pm

Fathom wrote: »

Sold out concert phobia?

Thomas Szasz, et al.

mzungu · 23-11-2018 4:36pm

Fathom wrote: »

Sold out concert phobia?

Had it once or twice!

Internet Addiction?

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