- Bashir Sharmake Mohamed Abdule1, Sakarie Mustafe Hidig2
- 1Department of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK, 2Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Province, Yiwu. China
- GAS Journal of Arts Humanities & Social Sciences (GASJAHSS)
Abstract: With 5.3 billion users, the internet has
enabled the communication and sharing of information globally and has reaped
numerous benefits. However, with this increase in availability, a new
phenomenon known as “internet addiction” has emerged. Internet addiction (IA)
is a behavioral addiction—an excessive, uncontrollable, compulsive urge
regarding internet use. IA is gradually becoming a serious health issue,
affecting an estimated 24 million people in China and 1.5 million in Germany.
Limited research has explored the brain effects of IA, which is considered to
share neural mechanisms with substance use disorders (SUD). This study compares
individualized autonomous behavior (IA) to social unemployment disorder (SUD).
Results show similarities in neuroimaging studies but differences in temporal
regions. IA is less severe and causes dysfunction in cortical regions, while
SUD affects subcortical regions. Although not recognized in Europe and America,
China, and South Korea label IA as a significant health concern. More research
is needed to determine the long-term neurological effects and public health
policies.
Keywords: Internet addiction, substance use disorder,
prefrontal cortex, Salience network, Cognitive behavioral therapy.
