Classifying sub-types, consequences, and causes of Internet addiction

The Internet itself is a neutral device originally designed to facilitate research among academic and military agencies. However, how some people have come to use this communication medium has created a stir among the mental health community by great discussion of Internet addiction. New areas of research have identified users who became hooked on online chat rooms, instant messaging, interactive games, and even to eBay, only to see their lives become increasingly unmanageable because of the Internet. Given the relative newness of the disorder, little exists that clearly outlines the habit-forming nature of the Internet, its sub-types, consequences, and its causes. this article examines the diagnostic features associated with Internet addiction and provides an overview of this new clinical phenomenon. Specifically, the article defines Internet addiction so that readers have a workable model to understand the problem from a clinical perspective. As a new mental health phenomenon, this article classifies various sub-types of online abuse and outlines potential triggers to better understand its potential for addiction. Finally, implications for treating the disorder in our technology driven culture and areas for future research are discussed.