Potential markers for problematic internet use: a telephone survey of 2,513 adults.
OBJECTIVE
The Internet has positively altered many aspects of life. However, for a subset of users, the medium may have become a consuming problem that exhibits features of impulse control disorders recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition.


METHODS
This is the first large-scale epidemiological study of problematic Internet use through a random-digit-dial telephone survey of 2,513 adults in the United States. Given the lack of validated criteria, survey questions were extrapolated from established diagnostic criteria for impulse control disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and substance abuse. Four possible diagnostic criteria sets were generated. The least restrictive set required the respondent to report an unsuccessful effort to reduce Internet use or a history of remaining online longer than intended, Internet use interfering with relationships, and a preoccupation with Internet use when offline.


RESULTS
The response rate was 56.3%. Interviews averaged 11.3 minutes in duration. From 3.7% to 13% of respondents endorsed > or =1 markers consistent with problematic Internet use. The least restrictive proposed diagnostic criteria set yielded a prevalence of problematic Internet use of 0.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
Potential markers of problematic Internet use seem present in a sizeable proportion of adults. Future studies should delineate whether problematic Internet use constitutes a pathological behavior that meets criteria for an independent disorder, or represents a symptom of other psychopathologies.
Aboujaoude
Elias
E
Impulse Control Disorders Clinic, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA.
Koran
Lorrin M
LM
Gamel
Nona
N
Large
Michael D
MD
Serpe
Richard T
RT
D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology