A Literature Review of Internet Addiction With a Focus on University Students

Abstract

Internet Addiction (IA) has been compared to DSM-5 Addictive Disorders and is defined as one’s inability to control Internet use leading to functional difficulties in multiple domains includingpsychological, social, and occupational. IA is observed amongst high-Internet-using populationsincluding university students. Despite some design limitations, research has identified individualcharacteristics and potential predictors of IA in university students, including comorbidities of insomnia,depression, anxiety and personality traits such as neuroticism, which often lead to negative outcomes. Incontrast, other studies have highlighted potential positive outcomes associated with high-Internet use.Therefore, universities should take into consideration increasing trends of IA and address IA vulnerabilities using early intervention and prevention approaches. This would lead to further researchin developing preventative face-to-face and Internet-delivered intervention programs targeting students vulnerable to developing IA.