Although the causes of Internet addiction differ depending on the teen in question, experts at Stone Mountain School, a private boarding school for boys in North Carolina, have observed the following common precursors to Internet addiction:
Low self-esteem
Poor self-image
Lack of achievements
Feeling undervalued
A feeling of lack of control over one’s life
A feeling of being trapped
Lack of a structured environment
Stress and real-world problems
Difficulty making and sustaining relationships
Strained home environment
Lack of community or friends
Difficulty regulating persistent negative emotions
Lack of a stimulating learning environment
Lack of opportunities for mastery
Lack of opportunities for exploration
Lack of opportunity to play
Warning Signs of Internet Addiction
Computers are going to remain a central part of American life, so it is essential for parents to learn ways to monitor their child’s computer use and detect the symptoms of Internet addiction.
The experts at Stone Mountain School advise parents to watch for the following signs of Internet addiction:
Preoccupation with the Internet
Change in eating habits, sleep patterns or school performance
Physical ailments such as numbness in the hands, eye strain, weight gain or loss, and headaches, back aches or neck aches
Neglecting personal hygiene
Missing school or work to surf the Web
Refusing to do chores or fulfill other responsibilities because of Internet time
Using the Internet longer than allowed or desired
An inability to cut back on Internet use
Giving up previously enjoyable activities in order to spend more time on the Internet
Neglecting friends and family in favor of spending time on the computer
Defensiveness or efforts to hide or lie about Internet use
Becoming irritable when unable to use the Internet
Isolating oneself socially or viewing the Internet as an escape
Like other forms of addiction, Internet addicts experience difficulty quitting, tolerance (craving more and more screen time) and withdrawal (irritability, anxiety and boredom) when not using the Internet.