I
NTERNET ADDICTION is not yet a DSM IV diagnosis,
but its definition has been derived from DSM IV
criteria for addiction and obsession. Young^^ coined
the term "Internet Addiction Disorder" listing diagnostic
criteria, which many researchers refer to
as a starting point. Researchers such as Youngi^ replace
the word "substance" with "Internet" in their
analysis of Internet addiction, concluding that similar
symptoms such as tolerance, withdrawal, craving,
and negative life consequences are present in
Internet addiction as well. Research done by Walker^^
would label Internet addiction an obsessive and
compulsive behavior, based on its similarities to
gambling addiction and compulsive shopping, since
these disorders lack a chemical dependence. Still,
very little is known about Internet addiction as a
whole.