J Korean Med Assoc.  2006 Mar;49(3):202-208.

Currents in Internet Addiction

• Kim JH

Abstract

Korea has one of the most advanced information infrastructure in the world. The issue of internet or cyberspace addiction came along with the advancement of high-speed internet and personal computers a decade ago. Internet addiction, once introduced humorously as webaholism, has now become one of the most important adolescent behavioral problems including sex, drug and other delinquent behaviors. Boosted by PC-room and innovative online game industries, the adverse effect of online game overuse now overwhelms other media including video game, online chatting, and cyberporn. Teenagers tend to prefer interactive media such as internet, mobile and peer-to-peer communications to classical uni-directional media such as T.V. and newspaper. The age of initial exposure to these media gets younger. Social and medical support network to remedy the problems does not seem to catch up with the rapidly evolving internet and game industry. The highly addictive and pervasive nature of role-playing and recent casual games are discussed, along with the medico-social and legislative efforts in need from the government, communities, schools and families.

Keyword

Internet addiction; Game addiction; Media education; Social support network

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Humans
Interactive Tutorial
Internet*
Korea
Microcomputers
Periodicals
Video Games

Reference

1. Katz E. Mass communications research and the study of popular culture: An editorial note on a possible future for this journal. Studies in Public Communications. 1959. 2:1–6.

2. Goldburg IK. Internet Addiction Disorder(IAD)-Diagnostic Criteria. http://www.transarc.com/afs/transarc.com/public/mic/ html/addiction.html.