I suppose it was only a matter of time before it came to this, but alas, Internet addiction will officially be listed in the worldwide psychiatric manual as a mental illness. In May 2013, “Internet-use disorder” will be listed as a condition for “further study” in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
“The listing is another step towards classifying Internet addiction as a mental illness: The DSM-IV’s new inclusion demonstrates that there are risks posed by overusing technology and that more research is required, which could lead to formal diagnoses of the disorder in the future,” according to Reuters.
As expected, children and young adults are at a higher risk than other age groups to develop Internet-use disorder.
But is there a larger, possible political point to be made? I’d argue that yes there is, and that point, is more common sense-based, than anything else: the antiquated concept of personal responsibility.
Conservatives seem to possess a great deal more personal responsibility than liberals, and there’s no reason it shouldn’t transfer to this issue as well. There is really no excuse for parents in 2012, with the rampant availability of information at their fingertips (yes, admittedly obtained online) to not know the harm associated with children’s’ overexposure to online content. It doesn’t take a diagnosis or years of study to tell a reasonable person that too much exposure to online content (with one’s face pressed to a screen) will produce a less socially-adapted, impatient, immediate-gratification-seeking individual.
One of the chief responsibilities of a parent is to intervene on behalf of their children, helping them make wise decisions, even if that decision temporarily frustrates the child. “Look both ways before crossing the street!” “Eat your vegetables before dessert.” “Do your homework before you play Modern Warfare III.” “You have five more minutes on the computer – then you’re going outside to play.”
Internet addiction in children with parents present is easily preventable: it’s called “parenting.” Let’s hope that if and when “Internet-use disorder” is classified as a mental disorder, liberals don’t push for those diagnosed to receive government assistance (aka, taxpayer dollars) for treatment.
