We as a society increasingly recognize that there are problems, including those that potentially cause serious harm to our brains, that come along with this new world of being constantly connected to our screens and devices. One of the problems is the risk of Internet addiction. This is a controversial label, which, as we’ll see in this text, we are still learning how to define. As fast as studies come out to help us better understand the issue, technologies change and the effects they have on us change as well. It’s hard to keep up, both from a consumer perspective and from a research point of view. This book is designed to help people understand what we know so far about Internet addiction.
This book is written for an undergraduate audience studying across diverse topic areas because it is an issue that will affect people in a variety of fields from education to neuroscience. This book is also of relevance and interest to the average reader who wants to learn more about what constant Internet use is doing to our minds, bodies, and social lives. Parents who are concerned about raising children in this tech-heavy world, therapists and doctors who increasingly see clients who present symptoms related to Internet addiction, and individuals who are struggling with their own use may all gain insight and information from reading this book.
The book presumes that, though some argue against it (and we do discuss that debate), there is such a thing as Internet addiction. It exists on the spectrum, and the book addresses that spectrum, but primarily it is about what happens for people who are on the side of the spectrum where full-blown addiction does occur. Throughout Part 1 of the book (Chapters 1–6), we look at the effects overuse and addiction have on the brain, the types of content that people frequently find addictive online, and the most at-risk populations. In Part 2 (Chapters 7–11), we discuss some of the more controversial aspects of the topic, including treatment options, why some people don’t consider Internet addiction a true diagnosis because of the variety of complicating factors, how the Internet can also be a mental health benefit (not just a detriment), and who might bear some responsibility for addressing this issue further in the years to come.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re spending more time than you want on your phone, your gaming system, or your social media, then this book can help you gain a solid understanding of the basics underlying this issue. Furthermore, it can get you thinking and talking about ways to maximize the benefits of the Internet, including emerging technologies like virtual reality, while mitigating the harms.