Identifiable Issues Concerning Internet Addiction

In recent decades, the researchers and psychologists have started to reflect over the critical issues associated with Internet addiction or problematical Internet usage. Now it has been proved that overuse of Internet seriously bring major mental health issues in life. However, it is not only the time spent over the Internet that can actually determine whether there is any addiction, but the context of overusing is also an issue of concern. There are indeed two major identifiable issues concerning the Internet addiction. These are – (1) the use of Internet must be an increasingly high volume of using so that it will interfere with daily chores of life including social responsibilities, personal responsibilities, occupational functions, academic performance, etc. (2) the user must feel threatened from inside when he or she tries terminating the use or in other words, the user becomes unable to terminate his or her Internet using.

Although there is an increasing trend for Internet addiction, research suggests only 3% of Internet users actually become addicted over Internet. Depending on their Internet usage, they can be categorized into four broad categories

The first category of people lacks their controlling behavior, revealing a difficulty in regulating over their intrinsic craving to use Internet for prolonged period of time. The second category of people generally prefers to be online whenever they feel isolated, lonely or depressed. They use Internet in order to find out a soothing environment so that they could be able to attain peace of mind and refreshment. The third category of people is looking for social comfort via online communication. The last category of people usually comprises of college students who use Internet for prolonged period of time in order to cope up daily stressors.

Excessive internet usage facilitates physical symptoms like inadequate sleep and weight gain resulting from sedentary behavior. College students and adolescents are at high risk for developing Internet addiction while discovering different characteristics relevant to identities and sexualities at the same time maintaining their anonymity as facilitated by online appearance. College is a place where a majority of students experience detachment from their family for the first time, so they tend to become dependent over Internet for finding comfort for them while getting in touch with their family members and friends via online communication. On the other hand, students are unable to accommodate high-priced entertainment for them, so Internet brings them better alternative at cheaper rate. Different researchers suggest that an increasing trend for developing pathological Internet use (PIU) is established due to a wide variety of factors including games, casinos, auctions, gambling, pornography, etc.