Can Internet Addiction Really Develop?
This is one of the questions that many psychologists have been asking for years, due to the growing number of people who find it difficult to lead an ordered life because of the large amount of time they dedicate to the internet.
The internet is a social technology that improves and enriches communication and fosters social participation, but in some extreme cases, the way people use the internet can lead to compulsive behavior disorders for certain types of individuals.
Who Is More Prone to Suffering Internet Addiction?
According to experts, people who believe they are masters of their own destiny tend to stand out in studies and business. They think their achievements result from hard work. These individuals earn more money and have an optimistic view of their ability to control their environment. However, this strong internal drive makes them more prone to internet addiction. They feel they can control events in the virtual world much more than in real life.
How Can We Develop Internet Addiction?
Certain situations carry a higher risk of addiction. One example is when users can express personal opinions about ideas where they previously had no voice. Consider a fan posting a suggestion on a TV series forum with thousands of followers. In the past, such feedback would have fallen on deaf ears.
E-commerce and auction sites also draw potential addicts by eliminating intermediaries from deals and negotiations. In short, any situation in which the individual can control their surrounding environment poses a risk.
Where Do Internet Addicts Spend Their Time and Why?
“Internet addicts” typically spend their time in synchronous communication environments like chats and multiplayer online games (MMORPGs). The common denominator? All of these spaces offer a reward or social recognition for user actions.
In virtual worlds and MMORPGs, this reward means obtaining the best avatar, weapon, or highest score. Meanwhile, in chats and online communities, the reward is social recognition, measured by connections or followers.
New Concepts of Internet Addiction
Expert psychologists did not anticipate the massive rise of social networks. These platforms have enabled new forms of social recognition in the digital world. As a result, the line between real life and virtual life is increasingly blurred.
I have personally experienced this theory in various situations. In MMORPG games, users competed for the best avatars, items, scores, or alliance membership. More recently, social networks show how people cling to them to chat with friends and check who is online. The goal is often to improve their social reputation. The boundary between real life and virtual life grows thinner every day.
The evolution of technologies also fuels this attachment. More and more people cannot live without their smartphone. The reason goes beyond making calls: they need to reply to emails or social network comments instantly.
In conclusion, we can identify two main groups of internet addiction: those who seek reward through virtual accomplishments such as items, avatars, and scores; and those who seek social recognition through connections and followers. Regardless of the type of addiction, the important thing is to be aware of the risks and maintain a healthy balance between our online and offline lives.