Digital Health and Wellness Cyberaddiction

Lindsy Gay
Introduction
Because of the rapid technological advances and the availability of the internet and internet
based games to students, it is only natural that schools should address cyberaddiction. This paper
defines cyberaddiction, identifies traits of high risk students and proposes solutions to helping
the high risk student.
The Career and Technical Education Department at East Hartford High School gave a survey to
students asking them about the availability of technological devices. Eighty nine percent (89%)
of respondents stated that they have a working computer at home. Ninety four percent (94%) of
the respondents have internet access at home. Based on the information in this survey, students at
East Hartford High School could show signs of cyberaddiction. A study of Cyberaddiction by
Dr. Pierre Vaugeois says, the more people there are who use the internet, the more people there
will be who develop a dependence on it.

Understanding Cyberaddiction
Definition
The term cyberaddiction is defined by Kimberly Young as an impulse-control disorder which
does not involve an intoxicant. Other researchers have added to the definition by distinguishing
between professional use of the internet to personal or recreational use of the internet. When the
personal use of the internet becomes excessive and has negative consequences then
cyberaddiction is present. Accoridng to Vaugeois,
cyberaddiction is a genuine disorder, characterized by the individuals inability to
control the amount of time that he or she spends on the Web, despite all efforts (the
amount of time spent is not a criterion)..
High Risk Students
According to research done by Vaugeois, cyberaddiction is more prevalent in young men who
are socially isolated. Vaugeois points out that students (ages 16 to 19) are especially vulnerable
to internet addiction. Another indicator in students is significant academic problems. Kimberly
Young has been studying cyberaddiction in many forms since 1996 says,
Students had difficulty completing homework assignments, studying for exams or
getting enough sleep to be alert for class the next morning due to such Internet misuse.
Often times, they were unable to control their Internet use which eventually resulted in
poor grades, academic probation and even expulsion.
Although, most research indicates males as being high risk, female students should not be
eliminated from the high risk label.
Solutions
In order for East Hartford High School to address the problem of cyberaddiction, it must first
identify students that are at risk. Dr. Vaugeois shows an example of an Internet Addiction Scale
that was developed by researchers in 2004. This test asks students to rate questions as never,
rarely, sometimes, frequently or always. There are 31 Statements included in this scale. Some of
the statements included are:
1. When I attempt to cut back or stop using the Internet I find that the irritability that I
experience is relieved by going back on the Internet.
2. When I use the Internet now, I do not feel as good as I used to.
3. I have stayed on the Internet longer than I intended to.
Students at East Hartford High School should be given the Internet Addiction Scale Statements
and asked to rate themselves. This should be done during the Connections advisory time. If a
student self identifies as being a possible candidate of cyberaddiction, then the student should be
evaluated further. Teachers should also be trained as to the high risk factors of cyberaddiction
and should refer students that fall into the high risk group for further evaluation. Once a student
is identified as needing further evaluation, treatment can begin.
References
Ip, A., & Wu, C. (2010, October). Are You an Internet Addict. Family Magazine.
Kimberly, Y. S. (1996, August 15). Internet Addiction: The Emergence of a New Clinical Disorder.
CyberPsychology and Behavior, 1(3), 237-244.
Vaugeois, P. (n.d.). Cyberaddiction: Fundamentals and Perspectives (Master's thesis). November