Video games, online gambling, online shopping and pornography all have the potential to become problematic

Social media also has an addictive quality that can cause withdrawal and exacerbate mood disorders and/or addictions

What Makes a Video Game Addictive

High Score

Beating the Game

No Ending to the Game – i.e. Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs)

Role Playing

Novelty/Discovery

A good portion of World of Warcraft is spent exploring imaginary worlds, and Minecraft is spent designing new worlds

Relationships

Acceptance

A place to anonymously try out different personas

Like other addictions, internet addiction can have physical, social, financial and emotional consequences

In our digital age, it is highly unlikely that people can completely unplug.

Similar to other behavioral addictions like eating and sex, it is necessary to identify the motivations behind the internet use

Additionally, by its very rewarding nature, internet addiction will cause neurochemical imbalances which can lead to depression and apathy.