A GROWING CONCERN IN INDIA IS INTERNET ADDICTION

Internet addiction has become a potential issue in young people due to the accessibility and portability of digital media. The American Psychiatric Association has the vision to include Internet Use Disorder in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (2012) for the first time, acknowledging the issues arising from this type of addictive disorder. This vision is based on a growing body of research. Due to the uneven development of their ability to set boundaries and exercise cognitive restraint, adolescents appear to be a demographic at risk for acquiring Internet addiction. The internet has become a powerful tool for removing physical barriers between people due to advancements in media and technology.However, excessive use of the Internet has resulted in negative consequences especially among the regular users labelling it as an addiction.