Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Internet Addiction

Neuroscience in the 21st Century

  • 168 Accesses

Abstract

As Internet addiction is becoming more prevalent around the world, it has attracted considerable scientific and public attention. The present chapter is an updated version of Shek et al. (Internet addiction. In: Pfaff DW, Martin E, Pariser E (eds) Neuroscience in the 21st century, 2nd ed. Springer, New York, pp 3707–3749, 2016). It starts with a review of the historical development of the issue, including relevant journals and websites, as well as a conceptualization of Internet addiction. Regarding the assessment of Internet addiction, different assessment tools are presented and related prevalence studies are examined. Concerning explanations of Internet addiction, different perspectives, including biological, psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, interpersonal and family, sociocultural and ecological, are presented. Besides, psychosocial correlates of and treatments for Internet addiction are explored. Finally, an outlook, conclusions, and future directions surrounding Internet addiction are outlined.

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ahmadi K, Saghafi A (2013) Psychosocial profile of Iranian adolescents’ Internet addiction. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw 16:543–548

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Akin A (2012) The relationships between internet addiction, subjective vitality, and subjective happiness. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw 15(8):404–410

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association (1994) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-IV, 4th edn. American Psychiatric Association, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association (2013) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th edn. Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Bai Y, Fan F (2007) The effects of group counseling on internet-dependent college students. Chin Ment Health J 21(4):247–250

    Google Scholar 

  • Beard KW (2005) Internet addiction: a review of current assessment techniques and potential assessment questions. Cyberpsychol Behav 8:7–14

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Billieux J (2012) Problematic use of the mobile phone: a literature review and a pathways model. Curr Psychiatr Rev 8(4):299–307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bleakley A, Ellithorpe M, Romer D (2016) The role of parents in problematic internet use among US adolescents. Media Commun 4:24–34. https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v4i3.523

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bozoglan B, Demirer V, Sahin I (2013) Loneliness, self-esteem, and life satisfaction as predictors of internet addiction: a cross-sectional study among Turkish university students. Scand J Psychol 54(4):313–319

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burleigh TL, Griffiths MD, Sumich A, Wang GY, Kuss DJ (2020) Gaming disorder and internet addiction: a systematic review of resting-state EEG studies. Addict Behav 107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106429

  • Caplan SE (2010) Theory and measurement of generalized problematic Internet use: a two-step approach. Comput Hum Behav 26(5):1089–1097

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cash H, Rae CD, Steel AH, Winkler A (2012) Internet addiction: a brief summary of research and practice. Curr Psychiatr Rev 8:292–298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen SH, Weng L, Su Y, Wu H, Yang P (2003) Development of a Chinese Internet addiction scale and its psychometric study. Chinese J Psychol 45:279

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheung CK, Yue XD, Wong DSW (2015) Addictive internet use and parenting patterns among secondary school students in Guangzhou and Hong Kong. J Child Fam Stud 24:2301–2309. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-014-0033-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis RA (2001) A cognitive-behavioral model of pathological Internet use. Comput Hum Behav 17:187–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ding Q, Li D, Zhou Y, Dong H, Luo J (2017) Perceived parental monitoring and adolescent internet addiction: a moderated mediation model. Addict Behav 74:48–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.05.033

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Du YS, Jiang W, Vance A (2010) Longer term effect of randomized, controlled group cognitive behavioural therapy for Internet addiction in adolescent students in Shanghai. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 44(2):129–134

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Evren C, Dalbudak E, Evren B, Demirci AC (2014) High risk of internet addiction and its relationship with lifetime substance use, psychological and behavioral problems among 10th grade adolescents. Psychiat Danub 26:330–339

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisoun V, Floros G, Siomos K, Dimitrios G, Klimis N (2012) Internet addiction as an important predictor in early detection of adolescent drug use experience – implications for research and practice. J Addict Med 6(1):77–84

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fumero A, Marrero RJ, Voltes D, Peñate W (2018) Personal and social factors involved in internet addiction among adolescents: a meta-analysis. Comput Hum Behav 86:387–400

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenfield DN (2009) Psychological characteristics of compulsive internet use: a preliminary analysis. Cyberpsychol Behav 2:403–412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han DH, Hwang JW, Renshaw PF (2011) Bupropion sustained release treatment decreases craving for video games and cue-induced brain activity in patients with Internet video game addiction. Psychol Pop Media Cult 1:108–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holden C (2001) Behavioral addictions: do they exist? Science 294:980–982

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huang XQ, Li MC, Tao R (2010) Treatment of internet addiction. Curr Psychiatry Rep 12(5):462–470

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kayiş AR, Satici SA, Yilmaz MF, Şimşek D, Ceyhan E, Bakioğlu F (2016) Big five-personality trait and internet addiction: a meta-analytic review. Comput Hum Behav 63:35–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ko CU, Yen CF, Yen CN, Yen JY, Chen CC, Chen SH (2005) Screening for Internet addiction: an empirical study on cut-off points for the Chen Internet Addiction Scale. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 21:545–551

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ko CH, Yen JY, Chen SH (2009) Proposed diagnostic criteria and the screening and diagnosing tool of Internet addiction in college students. Compr Psychiatry 50:378–384

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Koronczai B, Kokonyei G, Urban R, Kun B, Papay O, Nagygyorgy K, Griffith M, Demetrovics Z (2013) The mediating effect of self-esteem, depression and anxiety between satisfaction with body appearance and problematic internet use. Am J Drug Alcohol Abouse 39(4):259–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kubey RW, Lavin MJ, Barrows JR (2001) Internet use and collegiate academic performance decrements: early findings. J Commun 51:366–382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lei H, Cheong C, Li S, Lu M (2018) The relationship between coping style and Internet addiction among mainland Chinese students: a meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res 270:831–841

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lerner RM, Brentano C, Dowling EM, Anderson PM (2002) Positive youth development: thriving as the basis of personhood and civil society. New Dir Youth Dev 7(95):11–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lerner RM, Lerner JV, Almerigi JB, Theokas C, Phelps E, Gestsdottir S, … Smith LM (2005) Positive youth development, participation in community youth development programs, and community contributions of fifth grade adolescents: findings from the first wave of the 4–H study of positive youth development. J Early Adolesc 25:17–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Li W, Garland EL, Howard MO (2014) Family factors in Internet addiction among Chinese youth: a review of English- and Chinese-language studies. Comput Hum Behav 31:393–411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li MHT, Wong PWC, Chan M, Law YW, Fu KW, Chau MCL, Yip PSF (2015) Sexual and mental health in compensated dating in youth in Hong Kong: an exploratory quantitative study. Jacobs J Epidemiol Prevent Med 1(1):1–8

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu H, Liu S, Tjung J, Sun F, Huang H, Fang C (2017) Self-harm and its association with internet addiction and internet exposure to suicidal thought in adolescents. J Formos Med Assoc 116(3):153–160

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morahan-Martin J, Schumacher P (2000) Incidence and correlates of pathological Internet use among college students. Comput Hum Behav 16:13–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morioka H, Itani O, Osaki Y, Higuchi S, Jike M, Kaneita Y, … Ohida T (2017) The association between alcohol use and problematic internet use: A large-scale nationwide cross-sectional study of adolescents in Japan. J Epidemiol 27:107–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray B (1996) Computer addictions entangle students. APA Monit 27:38–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Ostovar S, Allahyar N, Aminpoor H, Moafian F, Binti M, Griffiths MD (2016) Internet addiction and its psychosocial risk (depression, anxiety, stress and loneliness) among Iranian adolescents and young adults: a structural equation model in a cross-sectional study. Int J Ment Health Addict 14(3):257–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pan P, Yeh C (2018) Internet addiction among adolescents may predict self-harm/suicidal behavior: a prospective study. J Pediatr 197:262–267

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pan Y, Chiu Y, Lin Y (2020) Systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiology of internet addiction. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 118:612–622

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peukert et al (2010) Internet and computer game addiction. J Psychiatr Pract 37(5):219–224

    Google Scholar 

  • Pies R (2009) Should DSM-V designate “internet addiction” a mental disorder? Psychiatry 6:31–37

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Prochaska J, DiClemente C (1992) Stages of change in the modification of problem behaviours. In: Hersen M, Eisler R, Miller P (eds) Progress in behaviour modification, vol 28. Sycamore Publishing, New York, pp 183–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Senol-Durak E, Durak M (2011) The mediator roles of life satisfaction and self-esteem between the affective components of psychological well-being and the cognitive symptoms of problematic internet use. Soc Indic Res 103(1):23–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer HJ, Hall MN, Vander Bilt J (2000) Computer addiction: a critical consideration. Am J Orthopsychiatry 70:162–168

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer HJ, LaPlante DA, LaBrie RA, Kidman RC, Donato A, Stanton MV (2004) Toward a syndrome model of addiction: multiple manifestations, common etiology. Harv Rev Psychiatry 12:367–374

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shapira NA, Goldsmith TD, Keck PE, Khosla UM, McElroy SL (2000) Psychiatric features of individuals with problematic internet use. J Affect Disord 57:267–272

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shek DTL (2019) The “ABCDE” of video gaming control: arguments, basic research, conceptual models, documented lessons, and evaluation. J Behav Addict 8(1):3–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek DTL, Sun RCF (eds) (2013a) Development and evaluation of positive adolescent training through holistic social programs (P.A.T.H.S.). Springer, Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Shek DTL, Sun RCF (2013b) The Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong: development, training, implementation, and evaluation. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 26(3S):S2–S9

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shek DTL, Yu L (2016) Adolescent Internet addiction in Hong Kong: prevalence, change and correlates. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 29:S22–S30

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shek DTL, Tang VMY, Lo CY (2009) Evaluation of an Internet addiction treatment program for Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Adolescence 44:359–373

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shek DTL, Yu L, Chai W (2018a) The relationship between internet addiction and problem behaviors: amongst Hong Kong adolescents: a three-year longitudinal study. J Concurrent Disord 1(1):2–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek DTL, Zhu X, Ma CMS (2018b) Adolescent internet addiction: a 3-year longitudinal study in Hong Kong. Front Psychol 9:642. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00642

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Shek DTL, Dou D, Zhu X, Chai W (2019a) Positive youth development: current perspectives. Adolesc Health Med Ther 10:131–141. https://doi.org/10.2147/ahmt.s179946

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Shek DTL, Zhu X, Dou D (2019b) Influences of family processes on internet addiction among late adolescents in Hong Kong. Front Psychol 10:113. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Su W, Han X, Jin C, Yan Y, Potenza MN (2019) Are males more likely to be addicted to the internet than females? A meta-analysis involving 34 global jurisdictions. Comput Hum Behav 99:86–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.04.021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Su W, Han X, Yu H, Wu Y, Potenza MN (2020) Do men become addicted to internet gaming and women to social media? A meta-analysis examining gender-related differences in specific internet addiction. Comput Hum Behav 113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106480

  • Wang B, Stanton B, Li X, Cottrell L, Deveaux L, Kaljee L (2013) The influence of parental monitoring and parent-adolescent communication on Bahamian adolescent risk involvement: a three-year longitudinal examination. Soc Sci Med 97:161–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.08.013

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Winkler A, Dörsing B, Rief W, Shen Y, Glombiewski JA (2013) Treatment of internet addiction: a meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev 33(2):317–329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2012.12.005

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yang R, Shao Z, Zheng Y (2005) Comprehensive intervention on Internet addiction of middle school students. Chin Ment Health J 19(7):457–459

    Google Scholar 

  • Yao MZ, Zhong ZJ (2014) Loneliness, social contacts and internet addiction: a cross-lagged panel study. Comput Hum Behav 30:164–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young KS (2011) CBT-IA: the first treatment model for internet addiction. J Cogn Psychother 25:304–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young KS, Nabuco de Abreu C (2011) Internet addiction: a handbook and guide to evaluation and treatment. Wiley, Hoboken

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu L, Shek DTL (2013) Internet addiction in Hong Kong adolescents: a three-year longitudinal study. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 26(3):S10–S17

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yu L, Shek DTL (2014) Family functioning, positive youth development, and internet addiction in junior secondary school students: structural equation modeling using AMOS. J Disabil Human Dev 13(2). https://doi.org/10.1515/ijdhd-2014-0308

  • Yu L, Shek DTL (2018) Testing longitudinal relationships between internet addiction and well-being in Hong Kong adolescents: cross-lagged analyses based on three waves of data. Child Indic Res 11:1145–1562

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China

    Daniel T. L. Shek & Lu Yu

  2. Division of Learning, Development and Diversity, Department of Education, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China

    Rachel C. F. Sun

  3. Department of Asian and Policy Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China

    Yumeng Fan

Authors
  1. Daniel T. L. Shek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lu Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Rachel C. F. Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yumeng Fan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniel T. L. Shek .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Rockefeller University Lab. Neurobiology & Behaviour, New York, NY, USA

    Donald W. Pfaff

  2. National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), Rockville, MD, USA

    Nora D. Volkow

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    John Rubenstein

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Shek, D.T.L., Yu, L., Sun, R.C.F., Fan, Y. (2022). Internet Addiction. In: Pfaff, D.W., Volkow, N.D., Rubenstein, J. (eds) Neuroscience in the 21st Century. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6434-1_108-4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6434-1_108-4

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6434-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6434-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Biomedicine and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Internet Addiction
    Published:
    10 May 2022

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6434-1_108-4

  2. Original

    Internet Addiction
    Published:
    11 March 2016

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6434-1_108-3

Search

Navigation