Too Much Time Online: Internet Addiction or Healthy Social Interactions?

Abstract

The debate surrounding the definition and validity of "Internet addiction,"a theorized disorder involving people who find themselves spending a lot of time online to the detriment of other relationships and responsibilities, remains unresolved. Although an understanding of human behavior is one piece of the equation, other pieces must be taken into consideration to appreciate the full picture. Societal acceptance of technology, the definitions of addictions and compulsions, and the effects of labeling are additional issues to take into consideration. When viewed from a broader perspective, online overuse looks surprisingly similar to normal social interactions carried out online, or simply one method for coping with other life, medical, or mental health problems. This article attempts to address these issues from this broader context while examining the underlying problems with research in this area to-date and offering suggestions for future research.