Трансформація поняття інтернет-залежності як форми адиктивної поведінки в контексті діджиталізації сучасного суспільства

Кротенко, В. І. Трансформація поняття інтернет-залежності як форми адиктивної поведінки в контексті діджиталізації сучасного суспільства / В. І. Кротенко, О. Е. Міщенко // Науковий часопис Національного педагогічного університету імені М. П. Драгоманова. Серія 19 : Корекційна педагогіка та спеціальна психологія : зб. наук. праць. – Київ : Вид-во НПУ імені М. П. Драгоманова, 2022. – Вип. 43. – С. 105-115. – DOI: https://doi.org/10.31392/NPU-nc.series19.2022.43.11

Over the past 10 years, the number of internet users has grown from 2 to almost 5 billion; 62.5% of the world's population were internet users at the beginning of 2022. Virtual reality attracts with its accessibility and unlimited opportunities for self-expression; virtual success is often easier to reach than real one, which makes virtual life attractive to people who face difficulties in reality. The internet realm and teenagers are the most vulnerable to becoming addicted to it. However, the concept of internet addiction has not yet been recognized by the WHO as a disorder, and scientists have not yet reached an agreement on the definition of addiction to virtual reality. This study analyzes Ukrainian and world literature, as well as research on internet, gaming, gadget, and computer addictions from 1995, when the term internet addiction appeared, to the present day. It shows the presence of outdated facts, terminology and screening methods that do not correspond to the current level of scientific and technical progress. It argues that the concept of "internet addiction" has already lost its relevance and should be dismissed from professional use. The pathological desire, in this case, is not connected with access to the internet in itself, but with the inclination to distance oneself from reality by immersing oneself in the virtual (digital) world. Thus, the internet should not be considered an agent of addiction, but a tool for the satisfaction of a pathological craving. The agent of addiction in this case is virtual reality — a digital world. Following the same principle, computers, tablets, or smartphones cannot themselves be considered agents of addiction — the attachment arises not to the equipment as a physical element, but to the virtual space to which these gadgets provide access. Consequently, the term "internet addiction" should be replaced with the more modern concept of "digital addiction", which identifies a pathological urge to stay in the digital (virtual) space, realised with the help of modern technologies.