Internet Addiction

As Internet addiction (synonyms: Internet addiction disorder (IAD); online addiction; ICD-10-GM F63.- Abnormal habits and impulse control disorders) refers to the phenomenon of using the Internet excessively, i.e., in a way that endangers health.

Over time, the addiction becomes independent and the behavior becomes compulsive.

The above-mentioned ICD10 classification speaks of a behavioral disorder in this context: “They are characterized by repeated actions without reasonable motivation, which cannot be controlled and which usually harm the interests of the affected patient or other people. The affected patient reports impulsive behavior. The causes of these disorders are unclear; they are listed together here because of descriptive similarities, not because they share other important features.”

Excessive Internet use has not been recognized as a disorder by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, the related diagnosis of online gaming addiction (gaming disorder) has been included in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).

Internet use today is essentially via smartphone, tablet or PC.

Various areas are affected by Internet addiction:

  • Computer games (→ computer game addiction; online game addiction; ICD-10-GM F63.0: Pathological gaming).
  • Sexual content (pornography/nude photos or sexual depictions; “watching porn”) → Cybersexual addiction (= addiction to pornographic material and sexual interaction on the Internet).
  • Internet communication (chatting; participation in Internet forums; e-mail).

Internet addiction is likely to be an impulse control disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Specific types of Internet addiction see below “Classification”.

Gender ratio: men are more often affected than women.

Men are mainly involved with online and computer games as well as “watching porn” (cybersex addiction).

Girls prefer to spend their time in social networks (e.g. Facebook); strangers seem to become good friends.

Peak prevalence: adolescents (12-18 years) and young adults (19-29 years).

The prevalence (frequency of illness) of Internet addiction ranges from 0.8% to 26.7%.

Course and prognosis: course and prognosis depend on the degree of Internet addiction (see “Consequential diseases” below).