Digital Junkies?

The concept of internet addiction and some suggestions for a philosophical reflection in schools

Abstract

Due to proceeding digitalisation, online communication and online entertainment play a significant role in the lives of many people, who spend great amounts of time online. Although excessive and pathological forms of online behaviour do exist, the impact of internet usage on mental health depends on many individual and social circumstances. A central issue within the scientific debate is the concept of Internet Addiction. However, there is neither a scientific consensus about proper diagnostic criteria, nor a consensus whether such a pathology exists at all. Nevertheless, popularised scientific literature and panic mongering media reports warn about Internet Addiction and its harmful consequences. This is an ethical problem: those unjustified claims stigmatise especially young people and pathologise their leisure activities – such as online gaming and online social networking. Parents, teachers and students are often misguided by the public debate. This article outlines problems of the concept of Internet Addiction and gives some suggestions of how to deal with it in philosophy-classes in schools.