What is the continuum of behavioural addictions for internet use, and what marks each step?
Use runs on a scale from inconspicuous to intensive, excessive, problematic and finally addictive use. Markers along the way are sporadic negative consequences, restrictions in behaviour, neurobiological imbalances, repeated lasting negative consequences and, at the end, the criteria for addiction.
* Use shifts gradually; the markers show where it starts to tip *
- Inconspicuous use (unauffällige Nutzung): the internet matters to the person, but there is no shift in priorities and a clear separation between online and offline.
- Intensive use: a lot of use, still without harm. Sporadic negative consequences begin to appear at the transition to excessive use.
- Excessive use: the person starts to restrict other behaviour (Verhaltenseinschränkungen) to make room for being online.
- Problematic use: neurobiological imbalances develop and negative consequences become repeated and lasting.
- Addictive use (suchtartige Nutzung): the criteria for addiction are met.
Why a continuum instead of a yes/no diagnosis: it describes each case precisely, which avoids both stigmatising and pathologising heavy users and trivialising real problems. It also fits behaviours that have no official diagnosis yet, such as social media or online shopping. The Swiss expert group on online addiction recommends it for exactly this reason.
Go deeper:
BAG: Synthesis report of the expert group "Onlinesucht" 2021-2024 — the report that recommends the continuum (German PDF).- Wikipedia: Problematic internet use — the range from heavy to harmful use.