What are the causes of Internet addiction? How does it develop?
The study of Internet addiction is still relatively new. The etiology of this affliction is conceived to be very similar to that of other common types of addictions. In a nutshell, Internet addicts find that the experience of being online provides a high, and they then become dependent on this high in order to feel “normal”. Gradually, over time, the person’s unhealthy relationships become substituted for their healthy ones, and they prefer to seek the immediate gratification available online – instead of the deeper qualities found in normal healthy relationships. While the Internet addict struggles to control his/her behavior, they often experience frustration over their failure to do so. The addictive cycle continues as their loss of self-esteem grows, fueling the need to escape even deeper into their compulsive behavior. The Internet addict is left with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness and despair.
