College students always seem to be online. Now, there’s
a reason to be concerned about spending too much time online. Researchers at
the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill studied the phenomenon and found
that Problematic Internet Use (PIU) is similar to other substance-abuse
disorders.
The researchers worked with 27 undergraduate or
graduate students enrolled at UNC Chapel Hill who spent more than 25 hours a
week on the Internet and reported at least one health, relationship, or emotional
issue because of PIU.
“Individuals with PIU may have difficulty reducing
their Internet use, may be preoccupied with the Internet, or may lie to conceal
their use,” Susan M. Snyder, assistant professor of social work, Georgia State
University, Atlanta, wrote about the study in The Conversation. “Perhaps not surprisingly, individuals
with PIU have been found to experience several negative mental health problems,
which could include depression, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder,
hostility, social phobias, problematic alcohol use, self-injurious behavior,
and trouble sleeping.”
Nearly half (48%) of the participants answered “yes” to
five or more of eight questions about their usage, leading the researchers to consider
them “Internet addicts.” Another 40% were classified as potential addicts
because they answered “yes” to at least three of the questions. All of the
students met the criteria used in the Compulsive Internet Use Scale, which was
developed by a branch of the National Institutes of Health.
“The
conclusions come through loud and clear,” Snyder wrote. “PIU exists and it
affects family relationships. While those effects may be both positive and
negative, those who suffer adverse consequences from PIU may have difficulty
addressing their PIU because of requirements to use the Internet for classes
via online assignments, online courses, and materials accessed online.”
