Internet Addiction

The symptoms of internet addiction include euphoria when online, fatigue?, sleep problems, muscle aches and pains resulting from inactivity, dry eyes or other eye problems, digestive issues, unintended weight loss? or weight gain, and withdrawal symptoms.

The signs of internet addiction include preoccupation with the internet, excessive time online, problems at work or school, lying about internet use, neglecting personal hygiene, and withdrawal from face-to-face social interactions.

The causes of internet addiction are genetics, psychological factors, environmental influences, peer pressure, and instant gratification.

The effects of internet addiction include social isolation, negative online experiences, health risks, sleep disorders, poor academic performance, and impaired relationships.

Internet addiction, otherwise known as problematic internet use, refers to the excessive use of the internet, resulting in an uncontrollable need to remain online in spite of unfavorable outcomes.

Individuals struggling with the condition experience difficulty limiting screen time, frequently losing track of hours spent online. Dependence develops over time, resulting in emotional distress and withdrawal symptoms when internet access gets restricted.

Internet addiction (IA) affects about 5% of the global population, according to a 2022 study by Fehér Gergely titled, “Internet Addiction.” Before obligations, relationships, and self-care, engaging in activities such as social media, online gaming, shopping, browsing, and other internet activities take precedence.

What are the symptoms of internet addiction?

Symptoms of internet addiction are distinct behaviors and manifestations suggesting a problematic relationship with online usage. The symptoms of internet addiction are listed below.

• Euphoria when online: Individuals with internet addiction experience a heightened sense of euphoria or pleasure when online. Similar to addictive substances, engaging in online activities like gambling, interactive gaming, or chatting triggers the reward systems, increasing dopamine release and inducing a euphoric mood in the user, according to a 2015 study by Min Liu and Jianghong Luo titled, “Relationship between peripheral blood dopamine level and internet addiction disorder in adolescents: a pilot study.”
• Fatigue?: Excessive internet use, particularly late into the night, leads to chronic? fatigue?. Individuals tend to sacrifice sleep to stay online, resulting in physical and mental exhaustion. Excessive tiredness impairs concentration, memory, and overall functioning during the day.
• Sleep problems: Pathological internet use leads to significant disruptions in sleep patterns, including difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or maintaining a regular sleep schedule. Blue light from screens disrupts the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, making restful sleep harder to achieve. The 2022 study “Digital Addiction and Sleep” by Birgitta Dresp-Langley and Axel Hutt examined 2,749 participants, revealing 67.6% scored above 30 on the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), indicating internet addiction. Additionally, 73.5% scored 5 or higher on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), reflecting inadequate sleep quality. Findings identified internet addiction as a significant predictor of poor sleep quality, explaining 13.2% of the variance.
• Muscle aches and pains resulting from inactivity: Prolonged periods of sitting and minimal physical activity while using the internet cause physical discomfort and pain?. Common issues include back pain?, neck tendon?. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।" data-rx-term="strain" data-rx-definition="A strain is injury to a muscle or tendon. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।">strain?, and repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. Lack of movement additionally contributes to poor posture and musculoskeletal problems.
• Dry eyes or other eye problems: Extended screen time leads to eye tendon?. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।" data-rx-term="strain" data-rx-definition="A strain is injury to a muscle or tendon. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।">strain?, dryness, and discomfort, commonly referred to as digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome. Symptoms include blurry vision, headaches, and difficulty focusing. A 2018 paper by Balhara et al., titled, “Problematic Internet Use among Students in South-East Asia: Current State of Evidence” reviewed 38 studies on problematic internet use among students in Southeast Asia, a region with high internet and gaming addiction rates. Findings showed 19% of participants reported experiencing eye tendon?. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।" data-rx-term="strain" data-rx-definition="A strain is injury to a muscle or tendon. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।">strain?.
• Digestive issues: Spending excessive time online leads to irregular eating habits and poor diet choices, resulting in digestive issues. Individuals often skip meals, eat at irregular times, or consume unhealthy snacks while engrossed in online activities. A 2023 study titled, “Internet Addiction in Constipated Adolescents” by Sevim Çakar and Gülin Eren explained adolescents with internet addiction experience functional constipation? as a result of the increased ingestion of low-fiber junk food and the loss of control over food intake during internet use.
• Unintended weight loss? or weight gain: Internet addiction disrupts normal eating patterns and physical activity levels, leading to unintended changes in weight. Affected individuals lose weight due to skipped meals or lack of appetite while online, while others gain weight from snacking or overeating out of boredom or stress.
• Withdrawal symptoms: When internet access becomes unavailable, individuals experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritability or anxiety. Signs of dependence on internet use resemble symptoms seen in other types of addiction. A lack of online activity often leads to a sense of emptiness or loss, resulting in emotional distress.

What are the signs of internet addiction?

Signs of internet addiction serve as indicators more noticeable to those around individuals struggling with the condition. The signs of internet addiction are listed below.

• Preoccupation with the internet: Internet preoccupation involves constant thoughts about past online experiences or anticipation of future sessions, as noted in a paper by Manish Kumar and Anwesha Mondal titled, “A study on Internet addiction and its relation to psychopathology and self-esteem among college students.” Such a mental fixation often results in excessive time spent planning or engaging in internet use, reducing involvement in other activities. Maintaining focus on offline tasks becomes difficult as online-related thoughts dominate the mind.
• Excessive time online: Internet addicts often devote excessive hours to digital devices, far beyond what is required for work or essential tasks. Constant online engagement continues through meals, social events, and late hours. Such habits become evident as disruptions occur in daily routines and responsibilities.
• Problems at work or school: Excessive internet use results in poor performance at work or school, as balancing online activities with responsibilities becomes difficult. Deadlines are often missed, work quality declines, and focus drifts during important tasks. A 2024 research article by Gülçin Güler Öztekin, titled “Associations between internet addiction and school engagement among Turkish college students: mediating role of psychological distress” found a link between higher internet addiction levels and increased stress, anxiety, and depression in college students. Adjusting to the school environment and staying engaged becomes more challenging for those experiencing heightened psychological distress.
• Lying about internet use: Individuals with IA often conceal the true extent of their internet use from family, friends, or colleagues. Many downplay hours spent online or deny engagement when questioned. Dishonesty arises from guilt or a desire to avoid confrontation about excessive screen time. Observers notice inconsistencies in statements or detect secretive behaviors related to online activities.
• Neglecting personal hygiene: As internet use becomes a priority, personal hygiene and grooming start to suffer. Showers get skipped, the same clothes are worn repeatedly, and basic cleanliness is overlooked. Neglect often results from excessive time spent online, reducing attention to self-care routines. A 2018 study by Subin Park and Jung Hyun Lee, titled “Associations of Internet Use with Oral Hygiene Based on National Youth Risk Behavior Survey” examined 73,238 participants and found 15.9% exhibited problematic internet use. Problematic Internet use was correlated with infrequent toothbrushing and lower perceived oral health and symptoms.
• Withdrawal from face-to-face social interactions: IA sufferers often reduce in-person interactions, favoring online communication. Social events get skipped, phone calls go unanswered, and isolation from friends and family increases. Withdrawal causes relationships to weaken, leading to a noticeable decline in engagement with social activities.

What are the causes of internet addiction?

Causes of internet addiction refer to the various factors related to the development and persistence of compulsive internet use. The causes of internet addiction are listed below.

• Genetics: Genetics influence susceptibility to internet addiction, as specific hereditary traits raise the likelihood of developing addictive behaviors. A 2023 study by Haghighatfard et al., titled “The first genome-wide association study of internet addiction; Revealed substantial shared risk factors with neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders” identified 72 distinct single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)—minute alterations in DNA—strongly linked to internet addiction.
• Psychological factors: Internet addiction is often traced back to underlying psychological issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem. Individuals use the internet as a means of escape or to find temporary relief from emotional distress. A 2018 study by Manish Kumar and Anwesha Mondal titled, “A study on Internet addiction and its relation to psychopathology and self-esteem among college students” highlighted extensive research on the correlation between psychiatric symptoms and IA in adolescents. Findings revealed a connection between IA and various psychological issues, including reduced self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.
• Environmental influences: The pervasive presence of digital devices and easy access to the internet create an environment conducive to developing internet addiction. Since smartphones, tablets, and computers are easily within reach, individuals are able to go online almost anytime and anywhere. The design of various online platforms, including social media, gaming, and streaming services, is specifically aimed at maximizing user engagement and retention.
• Peer pressure: Peer pressure contributes to internet addiction. A 2023 study by Xu et al., titled, “Peer pressure and adolescent mobile social media addiction: Moderation analysis of self-esteem and self-concept clarity” found a strong correlation between peer pressure and adolescent addiction to mobile social media. Pressure to use mobile phones for maintaining and strengthening peer relationships increases the risk of addiction.
• Instant gratification: The internet offers instant rewards and gratification, making online engagement highly appealing and habit-forming. A 2004 study by Song et al., titled “Internet Gratifications and Internet Addiction: On the Uses and Abuses of New Media” found a positive correlation between addiction tendencies and various gratifications. The research identified seven gratification factors: information seeking, aesthetic experience, virtual community, personal status, monetary compensation, diversion, and relationship maintenance.

Is internet addiction primarily a result of loneliness?

No, internet addiction is not primarily a result of loneliness, though loneliness is one significant contributing factor. Compulsive use is greatly affected by several elements, including genes, psychological disorders, and the design of the internet.

Digital platforms’ immersive qualities, social validation, and instant gratification all promote sustained involvement, irrespective of emotional state. While loneliness drives certain individuals to seek connection through social media or online communities, many develop addictive behaviors due to impulsivity, stress, or underlying mental health issues.

A combination of biological, psychological, and environmental influences makes internet addiction a complex condition rather than a direct consequence of loneliness.

Why is the internet addictive?

The internet is addictive due to its ability to trigger dopamine release in the brain, reinforcing repetitive behaviors. Instant notifications, likes, and messages—among other rapid rewards—help create a loop of gratification, keeping people engrossed for extended periods of time.

The highly accessible nature of digital platforms enables continuous stimulation, increasing the likelihood of developing problematic compulsive use of the internet. Excessive screen time is further encouraged by social approval, engaging activities, and endless content.

What are the effects of internet addiction?

Effects of internet addiction describe the host of unfavorable outcomes stemming from obsessive and excessive internet use. The effects of internet addiction are listed below.

• Social isolation: While the internet offers opportunities for virtual interactions, online engagement often leads to real-life social isolation. Individuals addicted to the internet often withdraw from in-person social activities, choosing to engage with online communities instead. A 2023 article titled, “The Internet and Loneliness” by Andrew P. Smith and Hasah Alheneidi explained the displacement hypothesis, which suggests that relying on digital interactions to avoid social engagement increases loneliness by reducing direct human connections.
• Negative online experiences: Cyberbullying, harassment, and exposure to damaging content are among the negative online experiences people with internet addictions face. Frequent negative interactions in digital spaces diminish self-esteem and contribute to a hostile online environment. The emotional toll of constant negativity deepens dependency on online engagement, as individuals continue seeking validation or escape despite the harm caused.
• Health risks: Internet addiction leads to various physical health issues due to prolonged periods of inactivity and poor ergonomics. Common health risks include eye tendon?. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।" data-rx-term="strain" data-rx-definition="A strain is injury to a muscle or tendon. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।">strain?, headaches, and repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Prolonged internet usage causes an increased state of psychological stimulation, leading to inadequate sleep, prolonged periods without eating, and limited physical movement, as per a 2011 article by Alavi et al., titled “The effect of psychiatric symptoms on the internet addiction disorder in Isfahan’s University students.”
• Sleep disorders: Prolonged and frequent internet usage, particularly during late hours, disturbs the regular sleep cycles and contributes to the development of sleep disorders. The blue light projected from screens disrupts the body’s innate circadian rhythms, resulting in increased difficulty in both falling asleep and maintaining sleep. Individuals additionally suffer from insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns as a result of spending excessive amounts of time online.
• Poor academic performance: Students struggling with internet addiction often face difficulties focusing on studies and completing assignments punctually. Distractions from online activities lead to procrastination and reduced study time, causing lower grades and overall poor academic performance. A survey conducted by Javaeed et al., in a 2020 study titled “Relationship Between Internet Addiction and Academic Performance of Undergraduate Medical Students of Azad Kashmir” found only 3 (0.9%) out of 316 medical students reported no signs of addiction, while 89 (28.2%) displayed extreme dependency. Compared to peers with healthier internet habits, those heavily reliant on digital engagement performed noticeably worse on tests.
• Impaired relationships: Internet addiction strains relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners due to reduced time and attention devoted to personal connections. Misunderstandings, conflicts, impaired relationships, and sentiments of disregard from loved ones are the consequences of such neglect. The lack of consistent, high-quality interaction wears down relationships over time, chipping away at trust and intimacy.

What is the relation between internet addiction and mental illness?

The relation between internet addiction and mental illness is bidirectional, with each condition influencing and worsening the other. Pre-existing mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), increase vulnerability to compulsive internet use.

Excessive online engagement functions as an avoidance mechanism for negative feelings, perpetuating addictive behaviors and exacerbating psychological distress. As longer reliance on digital interactions disturbs emotional control and results in deteriorating symptoms, the impact of internet addiction on mental health becomes more clear-cut.

A strong correlation exists between internet addiction and negative mental health outcomes, including heightened anxiety, depression, and physical symptoms, as stated in a 2020 study by Lebni et al., titled “A study of internet addiction and its effects on mental health: A study based on Iranian University Students.”

Among students at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, 45.5% were classified as internet addicts. Those with higher addiction scores demonstrated significantly poorer mental health, reflected in elevated scores on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ–28).

What is the relation between internet addiction and gaming addiction?

The relation between internet addiction and gaming addiction is closely intertwined, as both are forms of behavioral addiction facilitated by digital technology. Online gaming, social media, streaming, and web browsing are just a few of the online activities described as falling under the umbrella of internet addiction.

In contrast, gaming addiction specifically involves compulsive and excessive engagement in video games. Sometimes called internet gaming addiction (IGA), the condition reinforces addictive tendencies by causing excessive screen time, social isolation, and neglect of responsibilities.

The role of technology in internet addiction—highlighted by the emergence of sophisticated digital platforms—exacerbates obsessive behaviors. Algorithm-driven content recommendations, immersive gaming experiences, and seamless high-speed internet connection all encourage active participation.

Features like real-time multiplayer gaming, social networking integration, and microtransactions encourage continuous online presence, making it difficult to disconnect. Gaming addicts, in particular, experience heightened engagement due to in-game rewards, social competition, and the constant availability of new content.

The overlap between digital dependencies like internet addiction and gaming addiction is clear, as both share psychological triggers such as the desire for escapism, instant gratification, and social connection.

What is the relation between internet addiction and social media addiction?

The relation between internet addiction and social media addiction rests in the fact that addition to social media is regarded as a subset of internet addiction. Both entail a great deal of internet participation, usually with detrimental impacts in daily life.

Social media platforms reinforce addictive habits by encouraging prolonged use through features like notifications, endless scrolling, and social approval. The need for amusement, acceptance, and connection keeps people interested for long stretches of time, making usage hard to control.

Since social media addiction falls under the broader category of internet addiction, individuals struggling with one often experience overlapping psychological and behavioral patterns.

A 2022 study by Chen et al., titled “The Relationship of Social Media Addiction With Internet Use and Perceived Health: The Moderating Effects of Regular Exercise Intervention” confirmed a positive correlation between internet use (IU) and social media addiction (SMA); a rise in SMA leads to higher IU.

What are the treatments for internet addiction?

Treatments for internet addiction encompass different therapeutic interventions employed to assist individuals in reducing and managing compulsive internet use. The treatments for internet addiction are listed below.

• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy incorporates various therapeutic approaches aimed at addressing underlying psychological issues contributing to internet addiction. A 2018 study by Manoj Kumar Sharma and Thamil Selvan Palanichamy, titled “Psychosocial interventions for technological addictions,” highlighted motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as the most extensively studied treatments for technology-related addictions, including internet addiction. The research further explained how motivational interviewing helps individuals recognize emotions experienced just before engaging in online activities and identify the feelings being managed through such behavior. In contrast, CBT remains a widely used therapeutic approach assisting individuals in identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and behaviors linked to internet addiction.
• Family therapy: Family therapy includes the involvement of relatives in the recovery process to address relational patterns influencing internet addiction. Strengthening communication, resolving conflicts, and fostering a supportive home environment are a few of the primary objectives of the approach. Educating family members about internet addiction and the consequences of excessive online engagement promotes empathy and collective problem-solving. A strong support system within the household accelerates the healing process.
• Medication: When internet addiction occurs alongside other mental health conditions, specific medications become part of the treatment approach. A 2024 review titled, “Internet Addiction Management: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Interventions and Modalities” by Chadha et al., explained how antidepressants and anxiolytics, commonly used for co-occurring disorders, help address internet addiction. Ongoing research explores medications such as naltrexone, designed to target compulsive online behaviors directly.
• Lifestyle changes: Making lifestyle adjustments is essential for managing internet addiction and promoting overall well-being. Establishing a structured daily routine with designated times for internet use helps prevent excessive online activity. Promoting engagement in offline pursuits including hobbies, physical activity, and social engagements offers substitute sources of enjoyment and lessens dependency on the internet.
• Digital detox programs: Digital detox programs involve taking a break from all digital devices and internet use for a specified period. The goal is to reset the individual’s relationship with technology and develop healthier habits. Along with self-control smartphone applications and internet blocking and filtering software, digital detox programs are practical tools for managing internet use, as noted in a paper titled “Internet Addiction Management: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Interventions and Modalities” by Chadha et al.

How to overcome internet addiction?

Overcoming internet addiction requires a structured plan incorporating self-awareness, behavior modification, and external support systems, often broken down into 12 key actionable steps.

The 12 steps to overcome internet addiction include strategies such as acknowledging the problem, setting specific goals and limits for internet use, creating a balanced daily routine with offline activities, identifying triggers, using productivity tools, seeking professional help, building a support network, creating technology-free zones, practicing mindfulness, and setting device-free times.

The 12 steps listed above need to be strictly followed in order to maintain recovery because each one offers a detailed strategy for dealing with different facets of addiction. Following a clear plan enables people to successfully combat internet addiction, recover control over digital use, and develop a more satisfying way of life.

How do you help someone with internet addiction?

To help someone with internet addiction, one must take a caring and supporting stance while working to determine the root reasons of the problem and promote constructive behavioral adjustments. Encouraging open, accepting conversations about challenges creates a safe space for expression.

Particularly when attempting to manage teen internet addiction, setting clear, consistent limits on internet use fosters healthier habits. Encouraging involvement in offline activities, such as hobbies or sports, offers fulfilling alternatives.

Professional assistance, like therapy or counseling, deals with underlying mental health problems and gives the person coping mechanisms. Involving friends and family in the healing process additionally builds a strong support system, providing accountability and encouragement.

What are the symptoms of internet addiction withdrawal?

Symptoms of internet addiction withdrawal refer to the reactions emerging when an individual significantly reduces or cuts back on excessive internet use. The symptoms of internet addiction withdrawal are listed below.

• Irritability: Irritability often appears as a symptom of internet addiction withdrawal, marked by frustration and agitation when internet access is unavailable. Heightened annoyance or anger surfaces in response to minor inconveniences. The absence of online engagement disrupts usual coping mechanisms, making a person more reactive to stress.
• Anxiety: Anxiety during internet addiction withdrawal often presents as persistent worry, nervousness, and unease about not being online. Individuals feel an overwhelming sense of missing out on important updates or interactions. Anxiety disrupts daily activities, making focus and relaxation more challenging. A 2019 study by Saikia et al., titled “Internet Addiction and its Relationships with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Urban Adolescents of Kamrup District, Assam” comprised a sample of 440 students from higher secondary schools and colleges. 80.7% of the subjects exhibited internet addiction. A total of 83.3% of the participants with internet addiction reported experiencing anxiety.
• Restlessness: Restlessness is marked by an inability to sit still or relax, often with a constant urge to check the internet. The symptom results from the sudden lack of the constant stimulation provided by online activities. The affected individual paces, fidgets, or struggles to focus on tasks without the distraction of the internet.
• Headaches: Headaches occur as a physical symptom of internet addiction withdrawal, possibly due to changes in screen time and altered routines. The sudden reduction in screen exposure leads to tension headaches as the body adjusts. Dehydration?, poor posture, and eye tendon?. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।" data-rx-term="strain" data-rx-definition="A strain is injury to a muscle or tendon. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।">strain? from previous excessive use are potential contributors as well.
• Depression: Depression emerges as a symptom of internet addiction withdrawal, marked by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities. The reduction in internet use leaves a void, exacerbating underlying emotional issues. A 2022 article by Zhao et al., titled “Network analysis of internet addiction and depression among Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study” revealed a substantial comorbidity between depression and internet addiction (IA) in college students. The symptoms “guilty” (a depression symptom) and “escape” (an IA symptom) were central, functioning as bridge symptoms in the network, suggesting an essential role in the connection between IA and depression.
• Mood swings: Mood swings, characterized by rapid and intense changes in emotional states, are another symptom of internet addiction withdrawal. Individuals experience sudden shifts from happiness to irritability or sadness without clear triggers. Mood swings are challenging to manage and often affect relationships and daily functioning.

What are the different types of internet addiction?

Different types of internet addiction refer to the various specific forms of compulsive online behavior individuals tend to develop, each characterized by an excessive and unhealthy preoccupation with particular internet activities. The different types of internet addiction are listed below.

• Computer or gaming addiction: Computer or gaming addiction is characterized by an overwhelming urge to play online video games, often for extended periods. Excessive online playing leads a person to spend significant time in virtual environments, causing an oversight of professional, academic, and personal obligations.
• Compulsive information seeking: One of the types of internet addiction, compulsive information seeking, involves an uncontrollable urge to search for and consume vast amounts of online content. Individuals experiencing this addiction dedicate excessive time to browsing news sites, forums, and various informational resources.
• Cybersex addiction: Cybersex addiction involves excessive engagement with online pornography, sexual chat rooms, or other virtual sexual activities. Irrational expectations about intimacy and sex result from such an addiction, damaging close relationships. The secretive nature of cybersex addiction additionally causes significant emotional distress and guilt. A 2015 research article by Weinstein et al., titled, “Factors predicting cybersex use and difficulties in forming intimate relationships among male and female users of cybersex” found online sexual activity negatively impacted offline sexual relationships, leading to a decrease in intimacy and satisfaction in marriages and partnerships.
• Net compulsions: Individuals develop a compulsion to indulge in online behaviors, including stock trading, gambling, and auction site use, as a result of net compulsions. Compulsive behaviors cause major financial losses as well as disruptions to daily living. The constant availability and accessibility of online platforms make engaging in such behaviors easy at any time, increasing the risk of addiction.
• Cyber (online) relationship addiction: Cyber (online) relationship addiction involves uncontrolled engagement in online relationships, including social networking, chat rooms, and messaging. An article by Ursa Majorsy, titled “Contribution of Cyber-relationship Motive to Internet Addiction in Adults” published in December 2017 found motives related to cyber-relationships as a major factor in internet addiction, accounting for 31.6% of adult cases. The most significant factor contributing to online addiction is the escape dimension of the cyber-relationship motive (38.9%), involving the use of the internet to escape concerns and troubles encountered in the real world. Adventure (28.2%) and romance (12.3%) follow as the next two most common dimensions.

Who is most vulnerable to internet addiction?

Adolescents are most vulnerable to internet addiction, as adolescents (13.1%), adults (5.8%), and children (5.0%) were ranked by a nationwide poll as having the highest prevalence of high-risk internet dependence, according to a 2019 study by Chung et al., titled, “Personal Factors, Internet Characteristics, and Environmental Factors Contributing to Adolescent Internet Addiction: A Public Health Perspective.”

Digital devices and the internet have been a part of children’s and adolescents’ lives since birth in the digital technology era. At the age of 10, the average 15-year-old in 2015 had already started using the internet. Developing minds and a lack of self-regulation skills make children more vulnerable to continuous online stimulation, raising concerns about internet addiction in children.

Disclaimer: Each person’s journey is unique, treatment plan, life style, food habit, hormonal condition, immune system, chronic disease condition, geological location, weather and previous medical  history is also unique. So always seek the best advice from a qualified medical professional or health care provider before trying any treatments to ensure to find out the best plan for you. This guide is for general information and educational purposes only. Regular check-ups and awareness can help to manage and prevent complications associated with these diseases conditions. If you or someone are suffering from this disease condition bookmark this website or share with someone who might find it useful! Boost your knowledge and stay ahead in your health journey. We always try to ensure that the content is regularly updated to reflect the latest medical research and treatment options. Thank you for giving your valuable time to read the article.