Internet Addiction

Paper Summary:

This paper explores what sociologists and psychologists are calling 'Internet Addiction Disorder' and the dangers and disruptions to the public at large that are implicit in allowing the Internet to overtake or replace "real" life. The paper reviews three articles written on this subject.

From the Paper:

"Jennifer Ferris, who works in psychology at Virginia Tech, has written a long and informative article about "Internet Addiction Disorder: Causes, Symptoms and Consequences" which spells out many of the issues with the dangers of excessive or pathological internet usage. She suggests that there is a rapidly growing body of research regarding "Internet Addiction Disorder, a psycho-physiological disorder involving tolerance; withdrawal symptoms; affective disturbances; and interruption of social relationships... The World Wide Web is informative, convenient, resourceful, and fun. For some people though--the addicted--these benefits are becoming detriments. " (Ferris) She explains that Internet Addiction is characterized not so much just by extensive use of the Internet but by the disruption of normal life through Internet use. Its transformation from pastime to problem is further marked by the development of "tolerance," which is when the addict needs increasingly long amounts of Internet time to get the same amount of pleasure or satisfaction and by affective problems such as depression or anxiety connected to usage or influenced by it."

More papers on Internet Addiction:

• Essay # 90106 : "Internet Addiction"
• Analytical Essay # 123015 : "Internet Addiction"
• Research Paper # 9667 : "Internet Addiction Disorder"
• Argumentative Essay # 148401 : "Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD)"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: