Examining the diagnostic criteria for Internet addiction: Expert validation.

Background/purpose: Internet addiction is the coming problem around the world. The diagnostic criteria for Internet addiction among adolescents (DC-IA-A) has become a widely used measure for assessing the presence of Internet addiction in Taiwan. This study examined the diagnosis criteria for Internet addiction in adolescents by expert evaluation.

Methods: Twenty psychiatrists rated the adequacy of each criterion in DC-IA-A. The content validity and homogeneity reliability proposed by Aiken were calculated.

Results: The coefficients content validity and homogeneity reliability showed twenty psychiatrists agreed on each of DC-IA-A as relevant to the diagnosis of Internet addiction, though several criteria need improvements. Two criteria "excessive time spent on Internet activities and leaving the Internet" and "excessive effort spent on activities necessary to obtain access to the Internet" should be omitted, and the criteria of "tolerance" should be modified.

Conclusion: The diagnostic criteria for Internet addiction among adolescents should be revised to meet the real condition of this population.