Internet Addiction Rising

Internet addiction is no longer a punchline—it’s a serious mental malady that’s gained acceptance from the scientific community, Ars Technica reports. A significant percentage of the US population feels “disconnect anxiety” when away from the internet or their cell phones, an extensive research effort by the Solutions Research Group found.

Some 27% feel acute anxiety during any long break, while 41% get it more occasionally, according to the study. Unsurprisingly, age factors into the disorder: users over 50 are unlikely to get it, and when they do, experience stress related to work and safety, while young sufferers get anxious over the aspect of being out of touch with their friends. (More disconnect anxiety stories.)