Computer Addiction, Internet Addiction and Cyber Addiction (Historical Overview of the Definitions)

The author provides the historical overview of the following concepts: computer addiction, Internet addiction and cyber addiction. The views of scientists on the definitions of these concepts are analyzed. Based on the analysis results, our own definitions are proposed. The research methods were: theoretical analysis and generalization of socio-psychological, medical-psychological, psychological and pedagogical literature, as well as interdisciplinary analysis. The author emphasizes that most scientists understand computer addiction, Internet addiction and cyber addiction as a mental disorder that affects an individual’s normal life and has its own manifestations and processes. These phenomena are not yet recognized at the official level and are not included into ICD-10 disease classification or DSM IV disorders (however, their inclusion is planned in future editions of these classifiers). At present, the symptoms and medical history are not adequately described, the criteria for distinguishing between Internet addictions, computer addictions, and gambling addiction are not clearly defined, and some new types of cyber addictions are still not well understood and are not taken into account by the international classifiers of diseases. Nevertheless, they exist in our reality and allow us to talk about a person as a victim of cyber socialization. The article author comes to the conclusion that it is necessary to distinguish between these concepts. Summarizing the manifestations characteristic of Internet addiction and cyber addiction, their main features are highlighted: the impossibility of subjective control over the use of the Internet that leads to a person’s maladaptation, has a negative impact on their interpersonal relationships, health, work, study, emotional, psychological state, financial status etc., characteristic, however, for any dependent behavior. Internet addiction and cyber addiction include the following components: 1) a feature, «overvaluation» (salience) 2) mood changes; 3) increase tolerance; 4) tolerance withdrawal symptoms 5) conflict with others and by oneself; 6) relapse. So, the problem of distinguishing between computer addiction, Internet addiction and cyber addiction is relevant and is a relatively young area of scientific knowledge that requires further study.