Internet Addiction: Symptoms, Risks, and Ways to Heal
With the Internet’s prevalence today, we are spending more time online than before. While the Internet certainly is a useful tool, there exists the risk of addiction among its users. How, then, can we recognise the signs of Internet addiction? Are there consequences that we should be aware of?
While Internet Addiction is not formally recognised in mental health manuals like the DSM-V and among organisations like the WHO, it certainly is a phenomenon that can affect us and our loved ones, particularly in a country with high Internet penetration like Singapore. Minimally, the American Psychological Association characterises Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) by the disproportionate and obsessional use of computers, resulting in a significant loss of day-to-day functioning. IAD can be further divided into subcategories representing addiction to gaming, sexual content, and online messaging.
What are the Symptoms of IAD?
Due to the lack of consensus on its categorisation as a disorder, there is no standardised set of symptoms for IAD. However, tell-tale indicators include:
- The inability to function in daily life
- A subsequent decrease in life quality
For example, if a child spends most of his day gaming and suffers from poor grades and familial relations as a result, he could be suffering from IAD.
Some physical symptoms of Internet Addiction are listed below:
- Poor Sleep Quality
- Psychological Symptoms (e.g. Inattentiveness)
- Social Symptoms (e.g. Social Seclusion)
In addition to these, Internet Addiction may manifest as headaches, eye strain, back or wrist pain from extended device use, irritability when interrupted, and neglect of hygiene or nutrition. Emotional symptoms often include anxiety when offline, compulsive checking of notifications, or guilt after long hours online.
Who is Vulnerable to IAD?
Predictably, those that access the Internet regularly for work and/or leisure are at greater risk of addiction. Locally, the 15 – 24-year-old age group possesses the highest Internet usage percentage, making it particularly susceptible to IAD. This is possibly due to youngsters being “digital natives”, marked by their consistent and close interaction with the Internet throughout their lives. Moreover, today’s cascade of new media, such as social media and online games, has captured the attentions of these digitally literate youths, increasing their vulnerability.
That said, older adults are not immune. Professionals may find themselves compulsively checking work emails or spending long nights browsing online. Retirees may turn to endless scrolling or online shopping to fill time, leaving them vulnerable as well. Other risk groups include individuals experiencing loneliness, anxiety, or depression, who may rely on online activities to regulate emotions.
Consequences of Internet Addiction Disorder
Unchecked Internet Addiction can lead to significant consequences, impacting both physical and psychological health:
- Physical Health: Sedentary lifestyle increases risk of obesity, cardiovascular problems, and diabetes. Posture-related issues like “tech neck” and carpal tunnel are increasingly common.
- Mental Health: Excessive Internet use is associated with higher rates of anxiety, depression, irritability, and attention deficits.
- Academic and Work Performance: Students may procrastinate assignments for games, while adults may miss deadlines due to constant distractions online.
- Relationships: Online preoccupation often replaces quality time with family and friends, causing arguments, disconnection, and isolation.
- Financial Impact: Some develop compulsive spending habits through online shopping, gaming microtransactions, or gambling.
How Can Therapy Help with Internet Addiction?
Psychosocial therapies are commonly used to treat IAD. Distinctly, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Internet Addicts (CBT-IA) was developed specifically for those suffering from Internet addiction. This therapy form helps clients alter their behaviours to make their Internet use less maladaptive and reorder their cognitive processes to challenge existing mental justifications for their excessive Internet use. Therapists may also seek to improve clients’ time management and communication skills, among other methods, to reduce their time on the net and facilitate reintegration into their social lives to combat against addiction.
As IAD is suggested to occur in concert with or as a result of other mental health concerns, therapy can be useful in identifying and treating these root causes along with IAD itself. For example, a person suffering from depression could be turning to the Internet to alleviate its symptoms. Therapy thus resolves these depressive and addictive symptoms altogether for a better result.
Other Treatment Approaches
Besides CBT, several approaches are showing promise:
- Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Teaches individuals to pause, notice cravings to go online, and reorient to offline activities, reducing automatic compulsive use.
- Group Therapy: Offers a supportive space to share struggles, reduce shame, and learn healthier digital habits from peers.
- Family Therapy: Especially helpful for adolescents, involving parents in creating healthy screen-time boundaries and improving communication.
- Medication: While no drugs are approved specifically for IAD, SSRIs or stimulants may be prescribed to treat co-occurring depression, ADHD, or anxiety.
Practical Tips to Manage Internet Use
Individuals and families can take small but effective steps:
- Set daily screen time limits and use tracking apps to monitor progress.
- Designate device-free zones such as bedrooms or dining areas.
- Schedule offline activities like exercise, hobbies, or in-person meetups.
- Establish a consistent sleep schedule with devices turned off at least an hour before bed.
- Turn off non-essential notifications to reduce compulsive checking.
Prevention in Schools and Workplaces
Awareness and preventive measures can also be built into environments:
- In schools: Digital literacy programs can teach students about balanced online habits, risks of excessive use, and healthy alternatives.
- At work: Employers can encourage “digital wellness” practices such as screen breaks, email-free evenings, and wellness initiatives that emphasise offline connection.
Hope for Recovery
Internet Addiction, while disruptive, is treatable. With therapy, lifestyle changes, and social support, individuals can regain balance, reclaim offline relationships, and rebuild healthier habits. Recognising the signs early and seeking help ensures that Internet use becomes a tool for growth rather than a barrier to wellbeing.
We recommend This Video to those who wants to learn more about Internet Addiction.
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