Jeffrey Armstrong
Columbia Southern University
The Effect of Dependence on the Internet
The current generation has been the recipient of vast technological developments and the emergence of online applications in the Internet. Due to the phenomenal use and access to the Internet, different facets of life have observed to be significantly affected. Social interactions, academic performance, business ventures and strategies, as well as personal and professional growth were studied in terms of the profound impact that an apparent dependence on the Internet creates. The current discourse hereby aims to present the causes and effects of a dependence on the Internet creates to students in higher education.
There have been several research studies that delved into the causes of dependence on the Internet by college students (Fortson, Scotti, Chen, Malone, & Del Ben, 2007; Huang, 2006; Yuen & Lavin, 2004). The definition of internet dependence or addition was presented by Fortson, Scotti, Chen, Malone, & Del Ben (2007) as students who exhibited the symptoms presented from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders where maladjusted behavior ranging from anxiety or stress have been evident; as well as development of tolerance; tendencies for exhibiting withdawal; excessive time spent accessing online medium; and inability to conduct regular social, entertainment or recreational, as well as academic or occupational endeavors. The causes for Internet dependence allegedly include: those who deal with “underlying psychological issues, such as problematic relationships, academic or work difficulties, and that the internet, like drug or alcohol, is used as a means of procrastination and escape” . This was corroborated by Yuen & Lavin (2004) who asserted that tendencies to develop dependence and abuse stemmed from “identity and intimacy development, the availability of the Internet, and the increased use for course work. Students dependent on the Internet seem to have primary psychological problems that the addiction stems from” (p. 379).
The effects of the dependence on the internet were likewise disturbing; ranging from “disturbing feelings (e.g., depression) when not on the Internet, spending unlimited time and money while participating in activities online, a growing tolerance to any effects that may be doing harm to he/she while online, and a strong sense of denial about having any sort of problem” . Likewise, depression was another effect of dependence on the Internet due to the lesser time spent for socialization and face-to-face interactions . In addition, the study Huang (2006) had asserted that dependence on the chatting application had the impact of improving or exemplifying good social skills; while those who focus on the gaming application were noted to manifest behavioral dilemmas including loneliness and inability to develop social skills or become socially introverted. Finally, Fortson, Scotti, Chen, Malone, & Del Ben (2007) disclosed that Internet dependence also revealed exhibition of “personal difficulties and interference with school-related work and assignments” (p. 142). Thus, the effects were profound in terms of spanning the emergence of negative personal behavior (isolation, depression); social skills (introversion); and academic performance (interference with compliance to academic requirements within stipulated time frames).
Overall, one could deduce that despite the obvious benefits and advantages of the Internet in terms of access to wider information and applications (entertainment, business, presentations) across boundaries, there are alleged negative effects of dependence, as noted above. Likewise, students who were found to have psychological problems have greater tendencies to develop dependence as a form of escape. The information therefore revealed crucial implications in terms of the need the balance the use of Internet through first accurately assessing the students’ psychosocial behavior to appropriately prevent dependence or abuse.
References
Fortson, B., Scotti, J., Chen, Y., Malone, J., & Del Ben, K. (2007). Internet Use, Abuse, and Dependence Among Students at a Southeastern Regional University. Journal of American College Health, Vol. 56, No. 2, 137-144.
Huang, Y. (2006). Identity and Intimacy Crises and Their Relationship to Internet Dependence among College Students. CyberPsychology & Behavior, Vol. 9, No. 5, 571-576.
Yuen, C., & Lavin, M. (2004). Internet Dependence in the Collegiate Population: The Role of Shyness. CyberPsychology & Behavior, Vol. 7, No. 4, 379-383.
