Specific PIU involves overuse and abuse of specific Internet functions. These might be online auction houses, online pornography, online stock trading services, etc. Specific PIU is assumed to be the result of pre-existing psychopathology, which becomes associated with online activity. Therefore, the individual that might otherwise be a compulsive gambler would e ectively realize that gambling is available online and eventually demonstrate specific PIU. A similar scenario might occur with the individual who compulsively (and pathologically) uses pornography. This indi-