The Internet has gained great importance in modern society, providing lightning-fast information exchange. In a matter of seconds, one can find the necessary book on the Internet, contact a friend who is on the other side of the world, and find the answer to almost any question of interest. Internet use has huge potential of saving time, but it cannot be denied that excessive use of the network can affect the physical health and psyche of a person. Abusive counterproductive immersion on the Internet can have a detrimental effect on various areas of our lives and even cause Internet addiction. This is natural, since any “tool” that has appeared in mankind always requires a reasonable and moderate approach, no matter if it is atomic energy or virtual reality.
While using the Internet, a person looks at a computer or phone screen, therefore, Internet abuse leads to significant eye strain and vision problems. Long-term sitting at the computer is fraught with the development of improper posture and further diseases of the spine, as well as disorders in the work of other organs since damage to the backbone is a systemic disease. In addition, a large amount of information flowing chaotically can quickly lead to overfatigue.
People who communicate mainly on the Internet often need social support; they have significant difficulties in communication, experience dissatisfaction, suffer from low self-esteem, complexes, shyness, as well as several other psychological problems of this kind. This is especially clearly manifested in adolescence, in which over-passion for the Internet most often occurs.
The number of Internet users is growing every year, and the amount of used and created Internet resources is increasing; all social and age groups of the population are involved in activities on the Internet. Therefore, healthcare professionals need to develop prevention and intervention strategies to fight Internet addiction and negative consequences for the physical health and social behavior of Internet users.