IAD
ANTIDOTE
Debunking the Misconceptions about Internet Addiction
Internet Addiction or
Excessive Internet Use?
While people roughly see the problematic Internet addiction and the excessive Internet use as the same thing, these two concepts are not necessarily equivalent to each other.
Imagine this scenario: Jim's parents spend 8 hours a day dealing with the emails and filing the documents while Jim spends the same length of time scrolling social media posts and gaming, can we say that his parents are addicted to the Internet?
As far as we are concerned, there are no standardized criteria for the diagnosis of Internet addiction. Nonetheless, we can interpret the suggested four components as vital to the diagnosis in our daily experience:
1. The lack of sense of time and the loss of basic drive recognition;
2. The feelings of anger, tension or depression when not accessing the computer;
3. The need for better devices, more software or more time of use;
4. Adverse consequences such as arguments, lying, poor school or vocational achievement, social isolation, and fatigue.
In light of these phenomena, we can make a better judgement between the problematic Internet addiction and excessive Internet use and offer help to the people around us before it is too late.
Exploring 6 Myths about Internet Addiction
Distinguishing Internet addiction from the excessive Internet use is not enough for us to properly understand this concept. In fact, Internet addiction is a serious problem and is likely to be neglected by people in terms of ages and circumstances. So here we are breaking down 6 myths and facts about Internet addiction, place your mouse cursor at each image to see its fact behind:
Internet Addiction Doesn’t Cause Withdrawal
MYTH
When the Internet is inaccessible, the individual may experience withdrawal symptoms such as feeling depressed, fatigued, bored and unhappy. Apart from the low mood, withdrawal from Internet use usually includes irritability and agitation, particularly if there is a barrier to getting back online.
FACT
Withdrawal symptoms are a core feature of internet addiction
Technology Addiction is Rare
MYTH
Due to the secretive nature of people living with addiction, Internet addiction prevalence might be greatly underestimated. Individuals with addictions are likely to spend much efforts to hide their addiction symptoms.
FACT
Technology addiction is prevalent and becoming more common
Internet Addiction Isn’t a Big Problem
MYTH
The global prevalence of internet addiction was estimated at 6%. The world population is about 7 billion, which means approximately 420 million people around the world are already addicted to the Internet.
FACT
Internet addiction is a global problem, and it’s on the rise
Internet Addiction Only Affects Teens
MYTH
FACT
Withdrawal symptoms are a core feature of internet addiction
Internet Addiction is Harmless
MYTH
When the Internet is inaccessible, the individual may experience withdrawal symptoms such as feeling depressed, fatigued, bored and unhappy. Apart from the low mood, withdrawal from Internet use usually includes irritability and agitation, particularly if there is a barrier to getting back online.
FACT
Withdrawal symptoms are a core feature of internet addiction
