Internet Addiction: The Effects of Excessive Online Engagement

The concept of internet addiction emerged in the mid-1990s as mental health professionals began observing patterns of problematic internet use that resembled traditional addiction behaviors. Dr. Kimberly Young, one of the pioneers in this field, developed the first diagnostic criteria for internet addiction in 1996, adapting the criteria for pathological gambling to address compulsive internet use. Her work revealed that individuals could develop the same hallmarks of addiction to online activities that were previously associated only with substance abuse: tolerance, withdrawal, loss of control, and continued use despite negative consequences.

The rapid evolution of internet technology has created an environment that is inherently conducive to addictive behaviors. Unlike substances or activities that required specific locations or circumstances to access, the internet is now available twenty-four hours a day through smartphones, tablets, laptops, and countless other connected devices. This constant accessibility eliminates the natural barriers that might otherwise limit problematic use, creating what researchers call an "always-on" culture where the boundaries between online and offline life have become increasingly blurred.