Descriptive data outlines the nature of subjects Internet usage on each of the adapted criteria.
This paper concludes that Internet addiction does exist and implications for use of such an adaptation of these criteria to identify and monitor cases of Internet addiction are discussed. Anecdotal reports indicated that some on-line users were becoming addicted to the Internet in much the same way that others became addicted to drugs, alcohol, or gambling, with significant academic, social, and occupational consequences resultant from such use. However, the concept of Internet addiction has not been empirically researched. Therefore, this exploratory study utilized adapted criteria for Pathological Gambling, as this provides a workable definition of addiction, to identify cases of Internet addiction and to determine if it should be a concern to mental health practitioners. Information was gathered via electronic mail, telephone interviews, and personal interviews from respondents.