In the modern world, internet use is necessary and is in no way a bad thing, even often use is expected in today’s society. Internet addiction is different though because it is based on excessive use and presents specific symptoms.
 
Students struggling with internet addition may have symptoms of tolerance, withdrawal and negative consequences.
 
It’s important to have a safe place for students who are suffering from internet addiction. Offering a community for students who need it allows communication with others who are suffering. Offering a community makes students feel more accepted and able to reach out for help.
 
Hartney explains that tolerance is seen in internet use when a person is wanting more and more time to be dedicated to the internet or when they feel the need for better computer equipment. A person may want to increase internet use time until it takes over everything they do or buy new equipment even when they reach serious financial issues.
 
The feeling of connectedness the internet creates can cause withdrawal symptoms when taken away. Trevor Haynes explores the reward pathways in an individual’s brain and how they respond to internet use. Dopamine is the chemical our brain produces when something rewarding happens and motivates us to repeat the activity. The reward pathway is responsible for releasing dopamine to different brain areas and is shown to be dysfunctional in addiction. Neuroscientists have observed how rewarding social stimuli such as messages, positive comments, or likes on our posts activate our reward pathways. This means that when the internet is removed from a person’s reward pathway they lose the feeling of connectedness and withdrawal may occur.
 
Hartney explains that internet use can create negative consequences. These negative consequences could be seen in one's academics, energy, finances, or social life. The internet can slowly take over a person’s life similar to other substances one can become addicted to.
 
A safe community can be helpful to students who are suffering because it provides support.