By K J Foxhall 
I wrote an article 15 years ago about Internet Addiction Disorder, and it is interesting to see how things have changed in that time. Or have they?
We now have the most information we have ever had in the palm of our hands, so does IAD really exist if everyone has a device that so easily accesses the internet?
Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) is defined as a dependency on the internet that can affect daily life and well-being. Fifteen years ago, when I first wrote about IAD, it was still a new concept being debated in medical circles. Now, with technology and device usage everywhere, it’s increasingly recognized as a real concern.
Addiction is anything that creates dependency and disrupts your life. This includes compulsive internet use, whether it’s social media, gaming, or online shopping.
Back when the internet became widely available, people began spending more time online at work, resulting in reduced productivity and raising concerns about addictive behaviors. Clinicians like Ivan Goldberg first described IAD in the mid-1990s, modeling it after pathological gambling. Symptoms included feelings of guilt or well-being at the computer, failed attempts to cut down, neglecting responsibilities, lying about usage, and feeling anxious or irritable when unable to get online.
Over the years, as smartphones and devices became more accessible, internet use ballooned. What started with email and simple games has grown into a world where multitasking, social media, and online gaming are constant. While not every user is heavily addicted, compulsive behaviour, especially when it interferes with daily life, is still a concern, and it seems to be getting worse.
There’s also a darker side, online challenges and dangerous trends, especially for children and teenagers. Recent lawsuits against platforms like TikTok have highlighted tragic cases where online challenges resulted in accidental deaths. Parents seeking answers often face obstacles accessing their children’s online data due to privacy laws and social media company policies.
Algorithms now play a huge role in what content we see, sometimes pushing harmful material to vulnerable users. The UK’s Online Safety Act 2023 aims to hold social media companies more accountable for user safety and illegal content, but the sheer volume of uploads makes moderation difficult. I believe removing or reworking algorithms could help, but business incentives often take precedence over user safety.
As parents and individuals, we share responsibility. It’s important to set boundaries, reduce unnecessary online activity, and model healthy habits for our children. Even with parental controls, vigilance is needed as not all platforms allow full restriction.
Hacking and privacy breaches are additional risks. The coming years will reveal how society, lawmakers, and tech companies respond to these challenges. While this article is a bit sobering, my hope is that greater awareness will lead to safer online experiences for everyone, and the more self control we administer the less divided society may become and return to a time where more unity is sought.
Sources:
Computer addiction, University of Dallas (updated source link from original article).
Internet addiction is a ‘clinical disorder’
Parents suing TikTok over children’s deaths say it ‘has no compassion’
Internet Addiction: A Brief Summary of Research and Practice
What the Online Safety Act does