Problematic Use of the Internet in Leisure Time of Young People In the Perspective of Addiction Psychology

Abstract

The article is devoted to selected socio-psychological aspects of excessive use of the Internet by young people. Spending free time online provides many benefits, but it can also cause new problems unknown to previous generations. Excessive use of the Internet can turn into a behavioral addiction and, like other addictions, lead to neglect of other spheres of life and serious health and social harm. The author presents the symptoms and criteria of problematic Internet use, some socio-cultural factors contributing to addiction, as well as statistical data from developed countries showing that excessive involvement in new technologies and transferring a significant part of life to the virtual world is becoming a serious social problem, which must not be disregarded.

Keywords

• youth
• new technologies
• free time
• internet addiction
• behavioral addiction