Wk #4

Effects of Internet Addiction Disorder on Cognition in Teenagers
Student Name
Date of Submission
Effects of Internet Addiction Disorder on Cognition in Teenagers
Although anyone can become an addict, most internet users are teenagers. These users live double-lives where they are existent in the physical and virtual world simultaneously. Therefore, it qualifies as an addiction as 83% of the teenage population depends on it for interaction CITATION SKY14 l 1033 (Young, 2014). The initial purpose of the internet was to enhance communication worldwide and effectively. However, sometimes users abuse it by using it for unproductive purposes. This becomes hazardous when the internet is used unproductively for prolonged periods. It, therefore, becomes a problem some individuals cannot survive a day without being online. If at all, the problem of internet addiction can be solved then cognitive functions can be heightened. My research will borrow heavily from authors who agree that the internet, and especially addiction to it, have adverse negative effects.
Specific Aims
The goal of my research is to develop a guide for internet users based on empirical evidence on internet addiction disorder and its implications for cognition functions. Higher cognitive activity has overall long-lasting positive effects. The higher the brain activity, the better the overall body function. The specific aims of this proposal are to assess the effects of internet overuse on cognitive skills and IQ levels.

This suggests that cognitive decline may be attributed to internet use. I propose that a reversal of internet use may, therefore, result in higher cognitive skills. As such, reducing internet use may trigger brain activity of young users. The objectives of my research are;
To develop a guide for correct, productive and efficient internet use.
To determine whether internet addiction is a clinical disorder requiring treatment
To determine the magnitude of negative due to internet addiction
Background
A study conducted more than two years ago among older adults, who were above fifty years, showed that internet use is directly proportional to psychological well-being. The research determined that the internet affects psychology in three major ways; that is evaluative component dealing with cognitive-judgment skills, hedonic component dealing with the affective aspect such as feelings of sadness or happiness and eudaimonic component dealing with the meaning and/or purpose of life CITATION Dav18 l 1033 (David Quintana, 2018). Since this study provides general preliminary results that show internet use is correlated to psychological well-being, it justifies the need to focus on specific variables; hence the reason why this study has specifically focused on cognition.
Learning is a cognitive process in that it occurs knowledge is acquired through experience and paying attention to what is being taught. In this way, behaviors develop out of the learning process. Cognition has to do with one’s thinking and learning abilities which are usually dependent on brain functionality. As such, the function of the brain is normally affected when one is addicted to a negative substance.
An addiction can simply be defined as the prolonged dependence on something or someone such that one cannot go without it for too long. It impairs the user’s judgment making them function differently as compared to a normal human being. A disorder is a condition that is void of normalcy. Therefore an over-bearing presence and reliance on the internet can be coined as ‘Internet Addiction Disorder’. The habitual use of the internet appears to be normal hence its ignorance. Its effects are hazardous, but the nature of the addiction is subtle. Internet addiction disorder, as shown by various scholars, is a disease whose treatment should be sought with urgency as just like other diseases it impairs the normal functioning of affected individuals.
Although anyone can become an addict, most of the users are teenagers. These users live double-lives where they are existent in the physical and virtual world simultaneously. Therefore, it qualifies as an addiction as 83% of the teenage population depends on it for interaction CITATION SKY14 l 1033 (Young, 2014). The initial purpose of the internet was to enhance communication worldwide and effectively. However, sometimes users abuse this tool and use it for unproductive purposes. This becomes hazardous when the internet is used unproductively for prolonged periods. It, therefore, becomes second nature, and some individuals cannot survive a day without being online.
Such is the case with other addictions. Drug addicts lack the ability to function with use. They cannot endure long time-gaps without use. They also affect their interaction with others. Internet addiction is alarming because as aforementioned it has become a common and everyday tool in most homes. A time that could be spent productively is wasted in its use. This breeds a generation of lazy and socially-awkward individuals. In order to resolve this new addiction and end it entirely, we have to study its causes, visible symptoms and effects. The causes will assist in the prevention of further addiction when people remedy their deeds. The symptoms will ease identification of addicts while the effects will enhance treatment and broaden knowledge of the millennial disease.
Internet addiction has been showcased to have a plethora of negative effects. Among them a change in the behaviors of individuals who show an attention deficit especially for students and even worse, aggressive behaviors CITATION JHY14 l 1033 (J. H. Yoo, 2014). Additionally, prolonged use of the internet results in lapses in the reasoning of users; predominantly associated with aggressiveness and depression CITATION CHK12 l 1033 (C. H .Ko, 2012). Aggressiveness is a predictor of violent behavior where bullying is part. Other addicts may, however, portray the disorder by being the bully; not the victim. Introverts may even engage in hostile and violent activities as they feel somewhat ‘invincible’ from prolonged internet abuse CITATION JMo15 l 1033 (Moharan-Martin, 2015).
Addicts may also suffer mentally from despondency, withdrawal, and anxiety as they resort to the internet in a bid to solve real-life problems CITATION LSM13 l 1033 (L.S.M. Whang, 2013). Another sign of internet addiction is the dependency creates such that users find it strenuous to operate without it. The brain activity of addicts is activated by internet exposure due to the disturbance and ultimate reduction of the fractional anisotropy CITATION FLi12 l 1033 (F. Lin, 2012). Prolonged internet abuse may eventually also lead to neurological disorders that result in drug abuse CITATION KYu11 l 1033 (K. Yuan, 2011). A person’s reasoning is affected when their neural system splits due to prolonged exposure. To this extent, their judgment changes such that what they would usually avoid suddenly becomes intriguing, regardless of the harm accompanying it.
Other effects transcend into real life relationships. Strenuous marriage relationships as a result of emotional anxiety, poor concentration and depression could emerge from internet addiction CITATION SKY13 l 1033 (S. K. Young, 2013). Relationships with other are further affected by violence from addicts who, for instance, are addicted to violent video games such as Call of Duty. This game’s methodology is such that once triggered or aggravated, the only effective resolution is military action CITATION Nat17 l 1033 (Garrelts, 2017). Thereby social skills that would advocate for peace become impaired. However, there are claims that brain development could occur from internet use CITATION The091 l 1033 (The News, Volume 33, 2009). This is shown through memory boost and higher IQ from surfing.
This disorder is attributed to various factors, For instance, the revolution of communication such that it is heavily dependent on the internet. The inability to regulate the rate of internet use is associated with the seizure of communication by the internet CITATION GDo12 l 1033 (G. Dong, 2012). Alternatively, social, financial, demographic and characteristic factors such as wealthy lifestyle contribute to internet addiction massively CITATION MHH16 l 1033 (Hur, 2016). In this way, the lack of limited access triggers addiction. Parents are further involved in online addiction Neglectful, overbearing and strict parents each uniquely contribute to their children’s addiction, therefore, family interference is a remedy for internet addiction CITATION HXi10 l 1033 (H. Xiuqin, 2010)Significance of the Study
As aforementioned, there are controversies as to the extent to which internet addiction affects cognition. Some theorists suggest that internet addiction, specifically Internet Gaming Addiction (IGM) heightens cognitive functions as opposed to slowing them CITATION Chr17 l 1033 (Christian Montang, 2017). In their defense, playing internet games requires brain activity, and the continuous engagement in games is with the aim of gaining expertise. In other words, as one continues to play, their brain is even more engaged and thus internet gaming results in increased cognitive activities.
Other theories suggest that internet addicts have a significantly lower functional ability and that “…most of the impaired connections involved the subcortical brain region…” CITATION Chr17 l 1033 (Christian Montang, 2017). This was based on attest on the functional connectivity of 12 young internet addicts and 11 healthy control subjects whose IQ score was 109.63 as compared to 57.00 score of the former. Although the sample size was small, it is deducible that internet addiction affects brain activity such that the more the engagement, the lesser the cognitive function. However, internet addiction is not only due to gaming but also as a result of activities such as surfing, chatting and even online pornography. These activities as less engaging and thus one cannot assume that all internet users engage with the purpose of gaming. In the same way, the results of internet addiction cannot be confined or reduced to increase cognition.
Ultimately it is imperative to determine whether internet use or over-use results in higher or lower brain activity. This study is therefore important as it will help in determining the extent to which internet addiction affects cognition. The aforementioned study was conducted on a small group, and the conclusion is arguably not reflective of a large number of internet users. As such, this study is significant as it will be conducted on a larger
More importantly, this study will be beneficial in two main ways.
To begin with, this research will benefit the field of neuroscience as the information gathered from my research will ascertain whether internet addiction has a significant negative impact on cognitive function or not. Furthermore
The other beneficiaries of my research will be teenagers who, if they heed the proposed result of my hypothesis, will reduce their internet engagement and eventually their cognitive skills will heighten. Not only will teenagers benefit but also older internet users whose cognitive may have been affected by their internet use. Society will definitely benefit as increased cognitive skills translate to better problem-solving skills and ability to use one’s brains creatively.
Proposed Study
Participants
We intend to carry out research on 100 respondents that is 40 non-addicts, 30 mild addicts, and 30 severe addicts. Participants will be volunteers who will be divided between internet users and non-internet users. Surveys that have been previously carried out and focus on time/hours spent on the Internet every day will help to identify the internet users. Other users will be determined based on their previous searches such that users who have a history of “internet addiction” in their search engines, therefore, will qualify for testing. The demographics such as age, gender, and education level will also be acquired as they will be vital in determining the most likely victims of internet addiction
We will also observe the attitudes, behaviors, and characteristics of users in public as compared to non-users. Our target respondent is severe internet users aged between thirteen and nineteen years old. The following questions will be key in the survey
How long have users utilized the internet?
How many hours per day does one spend on the internet?
Does your internet time allocation or spending worry you?
Respondents who answer in the affirmative to the above questions will qualify as internet addicts. They will then proceed to answer the following questions.
What problems have the users noted arising from internet use or over-use?
Rating the distinguished problems in terms of their intensity. For instance, dependency or impairment on a range of either mild, moderate or severe. In order to determine the effect on cognition, thinking exercises that test one’s memory, intelligence, critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills and even ease of forgetting will be conducted. From the gathered data, we will thus establish just how much internet addiction impairs or boosts cognitive skills.
Procedures
The survey will be administrated electronically and physically such that while a certain number of participants will be interviewed via telephone phone calls, others will physically partake in answering questionnaires. Electronic surveys will be initially used to determine participants who are qualified for the research. The questionnaires will be transmitted to local schools and universities as most internet users are the teenagers and the youth. Based on the electronic surveys and questionnaires alone, the group of qualified participants who are internet addicts of either mild or severe addiction as well as non-addicts will be chosen for the succeeding thinking exercises. This session will likely take place over twelve months as the time will be necessary to conduct the electronic surveys as well as to distribute questionnaires to local schools and await feedback from the school’s administration for consent following that, the acquired results will help determine participants.
Once identified as a qualified participant based on the surveys, participants will be required to meet in a local hall where the thinking exercises will be carried out. The non-addicts group will function as the control group with which we will compare the cognitive skills of mild and severe addicts. As the head of the research, I will personally explain the basis of the exercise to the participants. The exercise is expected to take place over five days each targeting a specific cognitive function. The exercises will further be expected to last up to three hours of a day.
There are no anticipated risks for addicts who participate in the surveys and thinking exercises. This is because the exercises will only aim at stimulating their cognitive functions. As such, no major danger control will be necessary. However, we will have counselors in place in case of panic or anxiety attacks from respondents.
Hypothesis and Analysis
Critical thinking exercises will be conducted on both users and non-users. The group of users will be expected to have a significantly lower score on the cognitive assessments as compare don the group of non-users. Furthermore, within the group of dependents, we anticipate that the addicts will have lower scores as compared to non-addicts. Simple yet thought-provoking questions will also be asked to all participants. In this way, we will determine whether users have a slower or faster thinking mechanism as compared to non-users. If we determine that non-users are significantly faster thinkers as compared to non-users, then we can conclude that internet addiction indeed contributes to slower brain activity. Also, such findings will indicate that internet addiction should be viewed as a clinical disorder.
I presume that over-indulgence leads are associated with lower cognitive skills among teenagers and the youth. The knowledge that shows internet addiction as a true disorder can be used to develop strategies that regulate an individual’s use of the Internet, and subsequently, heighten brain activity. Because the IQ levels of individuals are heavily reliant on their brain activity, then this research will aid by providing a means through which the IQ levels of individuals can be increased at an early age. In turn, the society will benefit from increased IQ levels which will reflect in faster-problem solving of societal issues.
Budget Justification
Funds of up to 60,000 US dollars are being requested to oversee the research. If these funds are granted, then they will be used with utmost care such that each granted fund will be used for its intended purpose and nothing less. Respondent payment of 50 dollars will be used to compensate each participant for availing him/herself to take part in the survey and contribute to my research. Travel funding is also necessary as members of my team will distribute the questionnaires to local schools and acquire feedback in the same way. Assistants will also require compensation as they will help gather data and further analyze it. Funds will also be required for printing of the questionnaires necessary for data collection. Lastly, funding for a laptop which will be used to key in the result of the survey over the course of the period of the research. The data analysis will also be translated into meaningful information for use in the field of neuroscience hence the importance of a laptop.
Appendix A is an illustration of the detailed budget.
References
BIBLIOGRAPHY l 1033 C. H .Ko, J. .. (2012). The association between Internet addiction and psychiatric disorder: a review of the literature. European Psychiatry, 27(1), 1-8.
Christian Montang, M. R. (2017). Internet Addiction: Neuroscientific Approaches and Theraupeutical Implications Including Smartphone Addiction. In M. R. Christian Montang, Internet Addiction: Neuroscientific Approaches and Theraupeutical Implications Including Smartphone Addiction. Springer.
David Quintana, A. C. (2018). Internet Use and Psychological Well-Being at Advanced Age: Evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 1-13.
F. Lin, Y. Z. (2012). Abnormal wgite matter integrity in adolescents with internet addiction disorder: a tract-based spatial statistics study. PloS one, (1), e30253.
G. Dong, D. E. (2012). Impaired inhibitory control in ‘internet addiction diorder’: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging, 203(2), 153-158.
Garrelts, N. (2017). Responding to Call of Duty: Critical Essays on the Game Franchise. In N. Garrelts, Responding to Call of Duty: Critical Essays on the Game Franchise. McFarland.
H. Xiuqin, Z. H. (2010). Mental health, personality, and parental rearing styles of adolesvents with Internet addiction disoder.
Hur, M. .. (2016). Demgraphic, Habitual, and socioeconomic determinants of Internet addiction disorder: an empirical study of Korean teenagers. Cyberpsychology& Behavior,9(5), 514-525.
J. H. Yoo, S. C. (2014). Attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms and internet addiction. Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences, 58(5), 487-494.
K. Yuan, W. Q. (2011). Microstructure abnormalities in adolescents with internet addiction disorder. PloS One, 8(6), e20708.
L.S.M. Whang, S. L. (2013). Internet over-users’ psychological profiles: a behavior sampling analysis on internet addiction. Cyberpsychology& Behavior, 6(2), 143-150.
Moharan-Martin, J. (2015). Internet abuse: addiction? Disorder? Symptom? Alternative explanations? . Social Science Computer Review, 23(1), 39-48.
S. K. Young, R. C. (2013). The relationship between depression and Internet addiction. CyberPsychology& Behavior, 1(1), 25-28.
The News, Volume 33. (2009). In The News, Volume 33 (p. 7). Independent Communications Network Limited.
Young, S. K. (2014). Internet addiction: The emergence of a new clinical disorder. Cyberpsychology& Behavior, 1(3), 237-244.

APPENDIX A: Budget
SUMMARY PROPOSAL BUDGET FOR INSTITUTION USE ONLY
ORGANIZATION
FORMTEXT       PROPOSAL NO. DURATION (MONTHS)
PRINCIPAL RESEARCHER (PR)/PROJECT DIRECTOR AWARD NO. A. PERSONNEL Funds
Requested By
Proposer
1. Principal Researcher – 10% effort for 12 months $9,000
2. Research Assistant (RA) – 50% effort for 12 months $25,000
TOTAL SALARIES $34,000
B. EQUIPMENT None $ 0.00
FORMTEXT       C. TRAVEL 1. DOMESTIC – PR travel $1,500
2. OTHER – RA travel to participants schools $1,000
TOTALTRAVEL $2,500
D. PARTICIPANT SUPPORT $5000
1. STIPENDS $ 50 2. TRAVEL 3. SUBSISTENCE FORMTEXT       4. OTHER FORMTEXT       TOTAL OF 40 PARTICIPANTS AND ASSOCIATED COSTS $5000
E. OTHER DIRECT COSTS 1. EQUIPMENT- Computer to aid in data collection and analysis $3200
2 OTHER – Paper, stationery, and related office supplies $736
OTHER FORMTEXT       FORMTEXT      
TOTAL OTHER DIRECT COSTS $3936
F. TOTAL DIRECT COSTS (A THROUGH E) $45,436
G. TOTAL INDIRECT COSTS (F&A) (Rate = 37.5%) $14,564
H. TOTAL DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS (F + G) $60,000