Internet Addiction is in most cases simply abuse (6.5 hours a day) but in cases where it alters sleep cycles it is a moderate addiction. It become a serious health hazard when withdraw from real life and depression occurs. As with any behavioral addiction there is little research and a large skeptical suspicion of its existence. The creators of the games or platforms are not going to take responsibility.

What is being thrown at the problem are anti-depressants. You can look at the increase in prescriptions in the UK but that is only anecdotal. The number of kids worldwide who are seriously depressed from an addiction to digital heroin may be as high as 30 million.

The emergent problem is a deliberate attempt to addict for profit and is only 9 years old. What will it be like in 15 or 20 years?

Physically the problem coincides with up to a 8% loss in connective white fiber tissue. It can be restored. Time can not.

The symptoms present in different ways in certain cultures, some hideous and some just sad.