Page 1 of 3 ISSN: 2641-6271 DOI: 10.33552/OAJAP.2022.05.000608 Open Access Journal of Addiction and Psychology This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License OAJAP.MS.ID.000608. Internet Addiction; Symptoms, Impacts and Treatments Received Date: February 10, 2022 Published Date: April 23, 2022 Mini review Copyright © All rights are reserved by Hamed Taherdoost *Corresponding author: Hamed Taherdoost, University Canada West, Vancouver, Canada. Minireview The internet as a rich source of information has turned into one of the global necessities. It has provided new opportunities for shopping, entertaining, learning, and social interaction for individuals of all age groups. As of January 2021, 4.66 billion active internet users have been recognized. It means that 59.5 percent of the population is using the Internet globally [1]. Although the prevalence of internet usage has facilitated tasks in many ways and helped to an equal share of information all around the world, it is also becoming problematic in case of being misused and may lead to internet addiction. The rapidly growing epidemy of internet usage can lead to serious long-lasting issues in case of being overlooked. In this study, the particular definition of internet addiction is provided. Then, its determinative and diagnosis factors [2], are offered to help distinguish if an individual is suffering from internet addiction. Also, preventative and remedial approaches are suggested to address the internet addiction problem. Do you usually lose track of time when surfing the web? Do you use the Internet to feel better in case of being depressed, distressed or anxious? Do you commonly fail to fulfill your major daily roles at work, home, or university because of internet use? Do you constantly check your social media notifications? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, you are likely to suffer from internet addiction disorder. The inception of the 21st century has been marked with a convulsive growth of the Internet use worldwide. Due to the ubiquity and ample applicability essence of technology, it has brought about enormous revolution in both individuals’ usual and academic lives [3]. Two thirds of the global population are currently internet users with over 33 million internet Canadian users [4]. It is a fact that everything is getting online nowadays, and the Internet has changed the way that we live in multidimensional aspects including our shopping behavior, communications, entertainment, and learning. That is the reason why we have spent a considerable amount of time surfing the web [2]. The prevalence of internet usage has been three to four hours for 26% of Canadians with 36.39 million internet users as of March 2021. Besides, 20% of Canadian spend 21 to 29 hours on mobile internet usage weekly. It seems that times spent on internet usage in considerable. But how much time to surf the web is too much and how to make sure if we are suffering from internet addiction disorder? Internet addiction is excessive and poorly controlled use of the Internet because of different purposes, watching online videos, shopping online, blogging, social networking, and gaming that interferes with your daily life. It is not just the amount of dedicated time that leads to troublesome internet addiction; however, it is the way that the Internet is used. The destructive use of the Internet is recognized as an internet addiction disorder that can influence normal psychological functioning as well as mental and general well-being [5]. Internet addiction has turned into a critical concern especially among younger generation and has brought many negative outcomes. Social and functional impairments, physical impairments, and emotional impairments are risky consequences of heavy dependence on Internet use. Interestingly, internet addiction, like any other kind of addiction such as alcohol or drug, impacts the functionality of the brain by changing its structure [6]. Some studies have demonstrated that excessive dependence on the Internet affects the structure of Hamed Taherdoost* University Canada West, Canada Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4178715