How do people get addicted to the Internet?

People get addicted to the internet by using it to escape their current feeling such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, and stress. Spending hours a day on the internet to receive their personal fulfillment leads to internet addiction. In today's society almost everyone uses the internet in their daily lives, therefore its easy to think that your not addicted. Dr. Keith Beard has come up with criteria to diagnose internet addiction.

The patient must meet all of the following criteria:

• He or she is preoccupied with the Internet (thinks about previous online activity or is anticipating the next online session).
• He or she needs to spend longer and longer periods of time online in order to feel satisfied.
• He or she has made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop Internet use.
• He or she is restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet use.
• He or she repeatedly stays online longer than he or she originally intended.

The person must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• He or she has jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of Internet use.
• He or she has lied to family members, a therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet.
• He or she uses the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving an unpleasant mood (such as feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression).

( Source: http://www.minddisorders.com/Flu-Inv/Internet-addiction-disorder.html#b )