CYBER ADDICTION

Internet and computer use are ingrained in contemporary society and have changed the way we live our lives more than any other technological medium yet( (Hoeg N, et al 2019). The internet has become an integral part of modern-day life, and the global population using the internet has grown to almost 3.8 billion (Anurag T, 2018). Cyber addiction (internet addiction) is also called compulsive computer use, pathological internet use, and internet dependence. Cyber addiction or pathological internet use is generally defined as problematic, compulsive use of the internet that results in significant impairment in an individual's function in various life domains over a prolonged period. Young people are at particular risk of developing internet addiction disorder, with case studies highlighting students whose academic performance plummets as they spend more and more time online (Wikipedia). Internet addiction is characterized by excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, urges, or behaviors regarding computer use or internet access that lead to impairment or distress (Martha Shaw et al, 2018).

TYPES

Identified categories of the internet or computer addiction include:

Cybersex addiction: it involves online adult websites, pornography, sexual fantasy/adult chat rooms, and XXX webcam services. An obsession with any of these can be harmful to one’s ability to form real-world sexual, romantic, or intimate relationships. Net compulsions: concerns interactive activities online that can be extremely harmful such as online gambling, trading stocks, online auctions, and compulsive online shopping. These habits can be detrimental to one's financial stability and disrupt job-related duties. Cyber (online) relationship addiction: cyber relationship addicts are deeply involved with finding and maintaining relationships online, often forgetting and neglecting real-life family and friends. Typical online relationships are formed in chat rooms or different social networking sites. People who pursue online relationships do so while concealing their real identity and appearance.

Compulsive information seeking: the internet provides users with a wealth of data and knowledge. For some, the opportunity to find information so easily has turned into an uncontrollable urge to gather and organize data. In some cases, information-seeking is a manifestation of pre-existing, obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Compulsive information-seeking can also reduce work productivity and potentially lead to job termination. Computer or gaming addiction: involves online and offline activities that can be done with a computer (Hoeg N et al 2019).

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

An addiction to the internet can manifest in both physical and emotional symptoms.

Emotional symptoms

Unable to keep schedules, agitation, isolation, avoiding doing work, no sense of time, euphoric feelings when in front of the computer, feelings of guilt, mood swings, anxiety, and depression.

Physical symptoms

Headaches, blurred vision, disturbance in sleep, weight gain, backaches, social isolation carpal tunnel syndrome.

CONSEQUENCES

Short term

Unfinished work tasks, forgotten responsibilities, and weight gain

Long term

Blurred vision, back pain, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, bankruptcy (especially if the time spent online is focused on shopping, gambling, and gaming). (Psychguides.com)

Mental health consequences

Negative impacts of the internet/computers/technologies on our mental health include Digital dementia: digital dementia is a term coined by neuroscientist Manfred Spitzer to describe an overuse of digital technology resulting in the breakdown of cognitive abilities (Psychology today). It results in a sensory mismatch in the brain from overutilization of technology (development of sensory dissociation occurs where the back of the brain is overactive and the front is underactive; Sycamore valley chiropractic, 2017) and excessive slouched sitting posture. Signs and symptoms include short-term memory loss, social seclusion, uncoordinated movement patterns, anger, and depression. Cyberchondria: the concept of cyberchondria has been invoked to refer to the anxiety-amplifying effects of online health-related searches. It refers to an abnormal behavioral pattern and emotional state (Starvcevic V. 2017).

Depression and anxiety: a longitudinal study of Chinese high school students (2010) suggests that individuals with moderate to severe risk of Internet addiction are 2.5 times more likely to develop depressive symptoms than their internet addiction disorder-free counterparts (Wikipedia). Depression is a common mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and loss of joy (Goldman L. 2022). Anxiety is defined as an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes. It leads to excessive nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worry (Felman A. 2020).

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): is marked by an ongoing pattern of attention and or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development (National institute of mental health.com). frequent use of the internet can heighten ADHD symptoms and interfere with emotional and social intelligence

Social consequences

Internet addiction increases the risk of many negative social and health outcomes, including poor academic performance, harmful personality effects, anxiety, and depression. The best-documented evidence of Internet addiction so far is time disruption, which subsequently results in interference with regular social life, including academic, and professional performance and daily routines. Some studies also reveal that internet addiction disorder (IAD) can lead to the disruption of social relationships in Europe and Taiwan. It is, however, also noted by others that IAD is beneficial for peer relations in Taiwan. Dr. Keith W. Beard (2005) states that " an individual is addicted when an individual's psychological state, which includes both mental and emotional states, as well as their scholastic, occupational and social interactions, is impaired by the overuse of the internet. As a result of its complex nature, some scholars do not provide a definition of an Internet addiction disorder and throughout time, different terms are used to describe the same phenomenon of excessive Internet use. Internet addiction disorder is used interchangeably with problematic Internet use, pathological Internet use, and Internet addictive disorder. In some cases, this behavior is also referred to as Internet overuse, problematic computer use, compulsive Internet use, Internet abuse, harmful use of the Internet, and Internet dependency (Wikipedia).

HOW TO MITIGATE THESE EFFECTS

1. Monitor the time spent in front of a screen.
2. Have an offline policy for specific parts of the day.
3. Have online limits set for specific apps.
4. Working on mental stability and well-being, together with focusing more time of the day on more productive activities.
5. Make a rule of not using a phone when with people.
6. Take long breaks from the internet every now and then.

(Stefanowicz B. 2022)

REFERENCES

Felman A. (2020): What to know about anxiety. Retrieved September 1 st 2022, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323454

Hoeg N, Parisi T (2019): Internet addiction. Retrieved on September 1 st 2022, from https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/internet-addiction/

Martha S, Donald WB. Internet addiction: definition, assessment, epidemiology, and clinical management. CNS drugs. 2008;22(5):353-365, DOI: 10.2165/00023210-200822050-00001

Starcevic V. (2017); Cyberchondria: Challenges of problematic online searches for health-related information. 2017;86:129-133, doi:10.1159/000465525

Stefanowicz B. (2022): How does technology affect our mental health?. Retrieved from https://www.tidio.com/blog/how-does-technology-affect-us

Sycamore valley chiropractic. Digital dementia: a modern day health epidemic. Retrieved on September 1 st 2022, from https://www.sycamorevalleychiropractic,com/digital-dementia-a-modern-day-health-epidemic/

Psychguides.com: computer/internet addiction, symptoms, causes and effects. Retrieved August 31 st 2022 from https://www.psychguides.com/behavioral-disorders/computer-internet-addiction

Wikipedia: Internet addiction disorder. Retrieved on August 31 st from https://en.m.wiki/internet-addiction-disorder