Internet Addiction

The subject of Internet addiction as a serious problem came to my attention earlier this month with the headline: “Lawmaker Aims To Curb Social Media Addiction With New Bill.” A US Senator from Missouri introduced a bill to ban addictive social media features. It would address such things as infinite scrolling, tracking of streaks, constant loading and auto-play on video sites, while requiring time limits on apps. He accuses the media companies of “using psychological tricks that make it difficult to look away.”

Many questions came to mind: What is the definition of Internet addiction?; Is it real?; and How big is the problem?

In another article NPR asks the question of whether it is real. One expert that they interviewed said, “Addiction begins with intermittent to recreational use, then progresses into daily use, and then progresses into consequential use, which in some cases will progress to life-threatening use," such as insomnia, dysfunctional relationships and absenteeism. It is the opinion of many experts that Internet addiction fits this pattern. NPR’s introductory story told how it led a young girl to experience depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. 

China and South Korea have recognized Internet addiction as a mental disorder, but that is not yet the case in the US. Despite many suggestions dating back to 1996, it has not been included in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), therefore, it is not officially a mental health disorder and mental health professionals don’t have a standard way to assess and diagnose it.

This answers my first two questions. Some experts in the US consider it real and a major problem, but it has not yet qualified as an official diagnosis. That leaves the definition open to individual interpretation. As a result the question of the size of the problem is fuzzy, at best.

This can be seen by the fact that one website from 2012 cites a survey putting the problem at between 1.5 and 8.2% of the population. Another source from last May says that the rate of addiction is estimated at 1.5 to 8%. That’s not much of a change in the seven years that have elapsed.

Other studies continue slicing and dicing the problem in various ways. By gender, 27% of women and 25% of men report being near-constant internet users with many more college than high school graduates (34% to 20%). Constant use also varies by income and race. Still, some people must be on the internet more than others just to be able to do their jobs properly. There is more to addiction than time on the computer.

This site provides links to 32 studies between 2008 and 2014 showing “Facts, Figures, & Numbers” from several countries. It’s been a very popular research subject, but has still failed to make the grade as a recognized disorder in the US.

Ultimately, it seems to be just another case of the government stepping in to solve a behavior problem. Every time Americans can’t exercise a little discipline, we lose our freedom to a well-meaning politician intent on solving our problems for us with another law. In this case it seems to be happening even before there is a clear definition of the problem or an understanding of its size.

Fortunately in this case, it doesn’t appear to stand a chance of passing, but it’s an excellent indicator of the general mindset. Whenever we fail in personal responsibility or discipline, help or “protection” comes in the form of regulations, restrictions and less freedom. And it takes only a small minority (8% or less, in this case) to get the ball rolling.