Modification in the Proposed Diagnostic Criteria for Internet Addiction

TLDR

The Internet’s widespread use has brought benefits but also negative effects, with some users becoming preoccupied and unable to control use, leading to the concept of Internet addiction that shares diagnostic criteria with other addictions such as pathological gambling. This article proposes modifications to the commonly used diagnostic criteria for Internet addiction.

Abstract

The Internet is a new technology that has impacted the world and provided many benefits to its users. At the same time the Internet has had negative ramifications. Some people are becoming preoccupied with the Internet, are unable to control their use, and are jeopardizing employment and relationships. The concept of "Internet addiction" has been proposed as an explanation for uncontrollable, damaging use of this technology. Symptoms of excessive Internet use are compared to the criteria used to diagnose other addictions. In particular, pathological gambling is compared to problematic Internet use because of overlapping criteria. This article suggests some modifications to the diagnostic criteria that has been commonly proposed for Internet addiction.