Skip to main content

Internet Addiction: A Clinical Perspective

  • Chapter
Applied Cyberpsychology

Abstract

To date, around 40% of the world population is online. Internet usage has grown almost six-fold over the last decade around the globe. In Korea, 96% of Internet users make use of high-speed Internet connections, in comparison to 78% in the UK and 56% in the US (2012, 2013). Since 2000, the US has more than doubled Internet access and use, and mobile Internet use increased extensively in 2011 (The Nielsen Company, 2012a). These statistics evidence that the Internet has become an integral element in today’s society. In 2012, children and adolescents in Australia spent an average of 24 hours online per month, compared with 65 hours for individuals aged 18–24 years, and 25–34 year olds spend more than 100 hours per month online (The Nielsen Company, 2012b). Accordingly, young adults are the most active Internet users and spend roughly three hours per day on the Internet (Kuss et al., 2014a).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Ahn, D. H. (2007). Korean policy on treatment and rehabilitation for adolescents’ internet addiction. Paper presented at the 2007 International Symposium on the Counseling and Treatment of Youth Internet Addiction, Seoul, Korea.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders IV. Washington, D. C.: American Psychiatric Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders TV, text-revision. Washington, D. C.: American Psychiatric Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental Disorders (DSM-5). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andreassen, C. S., Torsheim, T., Brunborg, G. S., & Pallesen, S. (2012). Development of a Facebook Addiction Scale. Psychological Reports, 110(2), 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bakken, I. J., Wenzel, H. G., Gotestam, K. G., Johansson, A., & Oren, A. (2009). Internet addiction among Norwegian adults: A stratified probability sample study. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 50(2), 121–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beard, K. W (2005). Internet addiction: A review of current assessment techniques and potential assessment questions. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 8(1), 7–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bener, A., Al-Mahdi, H. S., Ali, A. I., Al-Nufal, M., Vachhani, P. J., & Tewfik, I. (2011). Obesity and low vision as a result of excessive Internet use and television viewing. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 62(1), 60–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beutel, M. E., Braehler, E., Glaesmer, H., Kuss, D. J., Woelfling, K., & Mueller, K. W. (2011). Regular and problematic leisure-time Internet use in the community: Results from a German population-based survey. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 14(5), 291–296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Billieux, J., & Van der Linden, M. (2012). Problematic use of the Internet and self-regulation: A review of the initial studies. The Open Addiction Journal, 5(Suppl 1: M4), 24–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Black, D. W., Belsare, G., & Schlosser, S. (1999). Clinical features, psychiatric comorbidity, and health-related quality of life in persons reporting compulsive computer use behavior. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 60(12), 839–844.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byun, S., Ruffini, C, Mills, J. E., Douglas, A. C, Niang, M., Stepchenkova, S., et al. (2009). Internet addiction: Metasynthesis of 1996–2006 quantitative research. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 12(2), 203–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao, H., Sun, Y., Wan, Y, Hao, J., & Tao, F. (2011). Problematic Internet use in Chinese adolescents and its relation to psychosomatic symptoms and life satisfaction. BMC Public Health, 11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Casey, B. J., Tottenham, N., Liston, C, & Durston, S. (2005). Imaging the developing brain: What have we learned about cognitive development? Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 9(3), 104–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chou, C, Condron, L., & Belland, J. C. (2005). A review of the research on Internet addiction. Educational Psychology Review, 17(4), 363–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, M., & Calleja, K. (2008). Shopping addiction: A preliminary investigation among Maltese university students. Addiction Research & Theory, 16(6), 633–649.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1992). Revised NEO personality inventory (NEO-PI-R) and the NEO Five-Factor inventory (NEO-FFI): Professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronbach, L. J., & Meehl, P. E. (1955). Construct validity in psychological tests. Psychological Bulletin, 52(4), 281–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, R. A., Flett, G. L., & Besser, A. (2002). Validation of a new scale for measuring problematic Internet use: Implications for pre-employment screening. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 5(4), 331–345.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • First, M. B. (2005). Clinical utility: A prerequisite for the adoption of a dimensional approach in DSM. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 114(4), 560–564.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galvan, A., Hare, T. A., Parra, C. E., Penn, J., Voss, H., Glover, G., et al. (2006). Earlier development of the accumbens relative to orbitofrontal cortex might underlie risk-taking behavior in adolescents. Journal of Neuroscience, 26(25), 6885–6892.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg, I. (1996). Internet Addictive Disorder (IAD) diagnostic criteria. Retrieved April 17, 2013 from http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http% 3A%2F%2FError! Hyperlink reference not valid.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gamez-Guadix, M., Villa-George, F. I., & Calvete, E. (2012). Measurement and analysis of the cognitive-behavioral model of generalized problematic Internet use among Mexican adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 35(6), 1581–1591.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenfield, D. N. (1999). Virtual addiction. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths, M., & Wood, R. T. A. (2000). Risk factors in adolescence: The case of gambling, videogame playing, and the Internet. Journal of Gambling Studies, 16(2/3), 199–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths, M. D. (1996). Internet ‘addiction’: An issue for clinical psychology? Clinical Psychology Forum, 97, 32–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths, M. D. (2005). A ‘components’ model of addiction within a biopsycho-social framework. Journal of Substance Use, 10(4), 191–197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths, M. D., Szabo, A., & Terry, A. (2005). The exercise addiction inventory: A quick and easy screening tool for health practitioners. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 39(6), e30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths, M. D., Davies, M. N. O., & Chappell, D. (2003). Breaking the stereotype: The case of online gaming. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 6(1), 81–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guan, S.-S. A., & Subrahmanyam, K. (2009). Youth Internet use: Risks and opportunities. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 22(4), 351–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hellman, M., Schoenmakers, T. M., Nordstrom, B. R., & van Holst, R.J. (2013). Is there such a thing as online video game addiction? A cross-disciplinary review. Addiction Research& Theory, 21(2), 102–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herold, E., Connors, E., & Moore, T. (2012). American Psychiatric Association board of trustees approves DSM-V. News release. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Telecommunication Union. (2012). Internet users. Retrieved April 24, 2015 from http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/index.html

  • International Telecommunication Union. (2013). The world in 2013. ICT facts and figures. Geneva, Switzerland: International Telecommunication Union.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kheirkhah, F., Juibary A. G., & Gouran, A. (2010). Internet addiction, prevalence and epidemiological features in Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 12(2), 133–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, D. L., Delfabbro, P. H., & Griffiths, M. D. (2012). Clinical interventions for technology-based problems: Excessive Internet and video game use. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy: An International Quarterly, 26(1), 43–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King, D. L., Delfabbro, P. H., Griffiths, M. D., & Gradisar, M. (2011). Assessing clinical trials of Internet addiction treatment: A systematic review and CONSORT evaluation. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(7), 1110–1116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ko, C. H., Yen, J. Y., Chen, C. C, Chen, S. H., & Yen, C. R (2005). Proposed diagnostic criteria of Internet addiction for adolescents. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 193(11), 728–733.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ko, C. H., Yen, J. Y, Yen, C. R, Chen, C. S., & Chen, C. C. (2012). The association between Internet addiction and psychiatric disorder: A review of the literature. European Psychiatry, 27(1), 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kraemer, H. C. (2007). DSM categories and dimensions in clinical and research contexts. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 16, S8–S15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2011). Online social networking and addiction -A review of the psychological literature. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8(9), 3528–3552.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2012a). Internet gaming addiction: A systematic review of empirical research. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 10(2), 278–296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2012b). Internet and gaming addiction: A systematic literature review of neuroimaging studies. Brain Sciences, 2(3), 347–374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2015). Internet addiction in psychotherapy. London: Palgrave.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuss, D. J., Griffiths, M. D., & Binder, J. R (2013). Internet addiction in students: Prevalence and risk factors. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(3), 959–966.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuss, D. J., Griffiths, M. D., Karila, L., & Billieux, J. (2014a). Internet addiction: A systematic review of epidemiological research for the last decade. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 20(25), 4026–4052.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuss, D. J., Louws, J., & Wiers, R. W. W. (2012). Online gaming addiction? Motives predict addictive play behavior in Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games Cyberpsychology, Behavior & Social Networking, 15(9), 480–485.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuss, D. J., Shorter, G. W., van Rooij, A. J., Griffiths, M. D., & Schoenmakers, T. (2014b). Assessing Internet addiction using the parsimonious Internet addiction components model — A preliminary study. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 12(3), 351–366.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuss, D. J., Shorter, G. W., van Rooij, A. J., van de Mheen, D., & Griffiths, M. D. (2014c). The Internet addiction components model and personality: Establishing construct validity via a nomological network. Computers in Human Behavior, 39, 312–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lemmens, J. S., Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2009). Development and validation of a game addiction scale for adolescents. Media Psychology, 12(1), 77–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leung, L., & Lee, P. S. N. (2012). The influences of information literacy, internet addiction and parenting styles on internet risks. New Media & Society, 14(1), 117–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, C.-Y, & Kuo, F.-Y (2007). A study of Internet addiction through the lens of the interpersonal theory. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 10(6), 799–804.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, C, Liao, M., & Smith, D. C. (2012). An empirical review of Internet addiction outcome studies in China. Research on Social Work Practice, 22(3), 282–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Majumdar, A. (2013). Japan plans ‘lasting camps’ lor Web-addicted children. Tech 2. Retrieved September 2, 2013 from http://tech2.in.com/news/general/japan-plans-lasting-camps-lor-webaddicted-children/912284

    Google Scholar 

  • Meerkerk, G. J., Van Den Eijnden, R. J., Vermulst, A. A., & Garretsen, H. F. L. (2009). The Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS): Some psychometric properties. Cyber Psychology & Behavior, 12(1), 1–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morahan-Martin, J. (2005). Internet abuse. Addiction? Disorder? Symptom? Alternative explanations? Social Science Computer Review, 23(1), 39–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morahan-Martin, J., & Schumacher, P. (2000). Incidence and correlates of pathological Internet use among college students. Computers in Human Behavior, 16(1), 13–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murali, V., & George, S. (2007). Lost online: An overview of internet addiction. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 13(1), 24–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mythily S., Qiu, S., & Winslow, M. (2008). Prevalence and correlates of excessive internet use among youth in Singapore. Annals Academy of Medicine Singapore, 37(1), 9–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, S. K., Kim, J. Y., & Cho, C. B. (2008). Prevalence of Internet addiction and correlates with family factors among South Korean adolescents. Adolescence, 43(172), 895–909.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poli, R., & Agrimi, E. (2012). Internet addiction disorder: Prevalence in an Italian student population. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 66(1), 55–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prochaska, J. O., DiClemente, C. C., & Norcross, J. C. (1992). In search of how people change. Applications to addictive behaviours. American Psychologist, 47(9), 1102–1114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rheingold, H. (1993). The virtual community: Homesteading on the electronic frontier. Cambridge, MA: MIT.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rumpf, H. J., Vermulst, A. A., Bischof, A., Kastirke, N., Gürtler, D., Bischof, G., et al. (2014). Occurence of Internet addiction in a general population sample: A latent class analysis. European Addiction Research, 20(4), 159–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shatter, H. J., LaPlante, D. A., LaBrie, R. A., Kidman, R. C, Donato, A. N., & Stanton, M. V (2004). Toward a syndrome model of addiction: Multiple expressions, common etiology. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 12(6), 367–374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L., & Yu, L. (2012). Internet addiction phenomenon in early adolescents in Hong Kong. The Scientific World Journal, 2012, 104304–104304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soper, W. B., & Miller, M. J. (1983). Junk-time junkies: An emerging addiction among students. School Counselor, 31(1), 40–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Starcevic, V (2012). Is Internet addiction a useful concept? Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 47(1), 16–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • te Wildt, B. T. (2011). Internet dependency: Symptoms, diagnosis and therapy. In K. Cornelius & D. Hermann (Eds.), Virtual worlds and criminality (pp. 61–78). Berlin: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Nielsen Company. (2012a). State of the media: US digital consumer report: The Nielsen Company. Retrieved November 4, 2015, from http://www.iab.net/media/lile/Nielsen_Digital_Consumer_Report_FINAL.pdl

    Google Scholar 

  • The Nielsen Company. (2012b). Australian online landscape review: The Nielsen Company. Retrieved November 4, 2015 from https://www.iabaustralia.com.au/uploads/uploads/2015–03/1426604400_e7690d6e91430362be5a3011e95e358e.pdl

    Google Scholar 

  • Treuer, T., Fabian, Z., & Furedi, J. (2001). Internet addiction associated with features of impulse control disorder: Is it a real psychiatric disorder? Journal of Affective Disorders, 66(2–3), 283–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai, H. F., Cheng, S. H., Yeh, T. L., Shih, C. C, Chen, K. C, & Yang, Y C. (2009). The risk factors of Internet addiction — A survey of university freshmen. Psychiatry Research, 167(3), 294–299.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai, C. C, & Lin, S. S. J. (2003). Internet addiction of adolescents in Taiwan: An interview study. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 6(6), 649–652.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vermulst, A. A., & Gerris, J. R. M. (2005). QBF: Quick Big Five Persoonlijkheidstest Handleiding [Quick Big Five Personality Fest Manual]. Leeuwarden, NL: LDC Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Widyanto, L., & Griffiths, M. (2006). ‘Internet addiction’: A critical review. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 4(1), 31–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wölfling, K., Müller, K., & Beutel, M. (2010). Diagnostic measures: Scale for the Assessment of Internet and Computer Game Addiction (AICA-S). In D. Mücken, A. Teske, F. Rehbein & B. te Wildt (Eds.), Prevention, diagnostics, and therapy of computer game addiction (pp. 212–215). Lengerich: Pabst Science.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (1992). ICD 10: Fhe ICD-10 classification of mental and behavioral disorders: Clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yen, J. Y, Ko, C. H., Yen, C. F., Wu, H. Y, & Yang, M.J. (2007). The comorbid psychiatric symptoms of Internet addiction: Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, social phobia, and hostility. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41(1), 93–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, K. (2004). Internet addiction — A new clinical phenomenon and its consequences. American Behavioral Scientist, 48(4), 402–415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, K. (1998). Internet addiction: The emergence of a new clinical disorder. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 1(3), 237–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, K. S. (1996). Psychology of computer use: XL. Addictive use of the Internet: A case that breaks the stereotype. Psychological Reports, 79(3), 899–902.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Copyright information

© 2016 Daria Kuss

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kuss, D. (2016). Internet Addiction: A Clinical Perspective. In: Attrill, A., Fullwood, C. (eds) Applied Cyberpsychology. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137517036_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics