Demystifying internet addiction

Abstract

In the current world we live in, the Internet has been serving an increasingly prevalent role in everyday life. From expensive, relatively inaccessible computing devices to the average student being expected to own at least one smart device, technology capable of accessing the Internet has become increasingly important and available to people of all ages. People are accessing the Internet for longer periods of time daily and as a result, researchers have been extensively studying the effects of the Internet. The term “internet addiction” has been used to refer to the negative effects of using the Internet excessively. However, this definition is being applied too broadly and causing unnecessary stigma and panic, as researchers are potentially misdiagnosing Internet addiction based on flawed criteria. This paper seeks to identify how the term Internet addiction has historically been used, why it is flawed, and support the use of the term “deficient self-regulation” in its place. Keywords: internet addiction, deficient self-regulation, social cognitive theory