Internet addiction?

ICTs have revolutionized our routines so that often leave home without a cell phone or work without a computer or tablet seems impossible.

 

Internet addiction

 

The current context leads us, sometimes inadvertently, to be immersed in the world of technology. Digital connections have become commonplace. They are everywhere, especially in the way we interact socially. In the words of Natasha Saltes (2014), "The integration of ICT in our daily life has transformed the way we produce, disseminate and access information, how they interact with others and how to navigate through environments complex and multifaceted socio-spatial ".

Obviously the prospect of a practical standpoint starting with the social and cultural contexts of the use of ICT (information technologies) to such a degree that often leave home without a cell phone or work without a computer or tablet have evolved is It poses as impossible.

Some approaches focus on the importance of behavior change, which results not only in intentions and deliberate decisions, but also in the interaction with technological devices.

Understanding the dynamics of the use of technology can lead us to a scenario of some contradictions in the perception and behavior in everyday life (Frissen & Marc, 2006). You now have a place where approaches such as Neil Postman in his book Technopolis, The surrender of culture to technology (Postman, 1994) that once sounded radical, it is now a major point of criticism in the report of the technological seduction before the scavenging only cultural creativity of hearings in the author's words: "The absence of social controls over technology stripped of recognizable ethical basis of its own social and cultural dimension of a sovereign society"

So far the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2014) in their expected Fifth Edition, section "Conditions that need further study" provides the disorder online game as a new feature in its new version.

The disorder takes into account the persistent and recurrent use of the Internet to play games, often with other players, which causes clinically significant distress or impairment in a period of 12 months, including symptoms such as:

a) Concern internet games.

b) Withdrawal symptoms by removing internet games.

c) Dedicate more time.

d) unsuccessful attempts to control the game.

e) Loss of interest in other hobbies.

f) Gambling despite the associated problems.

g) Tricking people close time playing online.

h) Use Internet gambling to avoid or alleviate negative effects.

i) Endangering or lost a significant relationship, job or educational or career opportunity because of its involvement in Internet gambling.

Within the diagnosis of the disorder the above criteria are identified and subsequently made the difference with other disorders by excluding other possible causes (what is called differential diagnosis) showing a similar clinical picture to which the patient presents. It is in this part that clarifies that excessive Internet use, involves no online play; and it becomes apparent excessive use of social networks such as Facebook or watch online pornography; They are not considered.

Dolors specialist about in his article entitled Reig2 DSM5 not include Internet addiction as a diagnosable disorder (2012) is clear that not all cases can talk about addictive behavior and often the sociability of human beings which manifest. This is also due to a powerful and accessible technology in your pocket, which is complex to distinguish normal and pathological uses, especially when it is highly linked to basic social quality of human beings.

However, for some authors, like Xavier Carbonell (2014) DSM has always been reluctant to recognize that behavioral addictions are a mental disorder, but the technological level is not new, since the interest is given since 1995, with Griffiths addressed the so-called "technological addictions", studies are currently analyzing the dependence on social networks like Facebook and addiction to mobile phone (Echeburua and De Corral, 2010; Pedrero, Rodriguez and Ruiz, 2012 and García, 2013 cited by Carbonell, 2014). Surf the web, play a video game, call or send SMS or WhatsApp can be: excessive behavior which might lead to negative consequences; transient discomfort to regress spontaneously after a while; evolutionary states in which communication with peers is experienced as essential; or necessary adjustments to a new communication tool (Carbonell, 2014, p. 93)

In a more radical plan, as the psychiatrist Tao Ran defines "Internet addiction in the brain causes problems similar to those derived from heroin, destroying social relations and impairing the body" (Aldama, 2014). This is in China which is the largest number of Internet users worldwide (632 million in July, 2014), and considering that 10% of minors who surf the Web are addicted to it.

When it is formalized or not the term "Internet addiction" we Adicciones.org criteria to identify which gives specialist Dr. Saul Alvarado (2012):

1. Compulsion by online activities

2. cyber-sex addiction

3. Addiction cyber-romances

4. Computer Addiction

Addiction to online activities includes compulsive: auctions, web browsing, gambling online.

The obsession with programming with computer games, as well as the compulsive pursuit of sex and dysfunctional relationships through the Internet, are part of this syndrome:

The abandonment of the social family life and / or neglect of labor functions as well as the deterioration of the health and physical health as a result of the investment of energy and time spent on the internet addiction, time are characteristic of this disorder .

It is perhaps necessary to study the balance between the use and abuse as an element that we must take into account to consider it ill, leaving aside the Internet and digital devices are just a resource for everyday life, never substituting the same.