Internet Addiction Spectrum: The Five Types of Users
Author: University of Surrey
Published: 2 Oct 2023 - Updated: 28 Aug 2026
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed | Research, Study, Analysis
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This research, a peer-reviewed study from the University of Surrey published in the Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing, sets out a new internet addiction spectrum that sorts users into five distinct groups based on their online behavior. Drawing on 796 participants, the work is useful because it draws a clear line between problematic internet use and genuine addiction, and reports concrete findings - that addiction tendency rises the younger a person is and tapers with age, that no link was found between gender and online behavior, and that higher addiction levels go hand in hand with greater confidence using mobile technology. For people with disabilities, seniors, caregivers, and anyone weighing their own habits, the categories and the daily-use figures offer a grounded reference point for recognizing where they or someone they support might sit, and why tailored support matters at different stages.*
At a Glance
- 1 - Casual Users make up 14.86 percent of the sample. They log off quickly and show the least interest in new apps.
- 2 - Addicts openly admit their dependence and total 22.36 percent. They are the most confident group when trying new technology.
- 3 - Initial Users, at 22.86 percent, often stay online longer than planned. They neglect some chores but deny being addicted.
- 4 - Experimenters feel anxious when offline and improve once connected, at 21.98 percent. Their average age falls between 22.8 and 24.3 years.
Topic Definition
- Internet Addiction
Internet addiction describes a pattern of compulsive online behavior in which someone spends steadily more time connected, finds it hard to log off when they mean to, and starts letting real-world responsibilities, relationships, and routines slide as a result. It is less an on-or-off condition than a spectrum, stretching from casual, task-focused use to a dependence marked by unease when offline and a sense of lost control. Researchers separate it from merely heavy or problematic use by weighing emotional reliance and how much online activity crowds out offline life, factors that shift with age and tend to run stronger among younger users.
Overview
Young people (24 years and younger) spend an average of six hours a day online, primarily using their smartphones, according to research from the University of Surrey. Older people (those 24 years and older) spend 4.6 hours online.
Surrey's study, which involved 796 participants, introduces a new internet addiction spectrum, categorizing internet users into five groups:
- Casual Users (14.86%): This group mainly goes online for specific tasks and logs off without lingering. They show no signs of addiction and are generally older, with an average age of 33.4 years. They are the least interested in exploring new apps.
- Initial Users (22.86%): These individuals often find themselves online longer than they initially planned and are somewhat neglectful of household chores but don't consider themselves addicted. They are moderately interested in apps and have an average age of 26.1 years.
- Experimenters (21.98%): This group feels uneasy or anxious when not connected to the internet. Once they go online, they feel better. Experimenters are more willing to try out new apps and technology, and their average age is between 22.8 and 24.3 years.
- Addicts-in-Denial (17.96%): These users display addictive behaviors like forming new relationships online and neglecting real-world responsibilities to be online. However, they won't admit to feeling uneasy when they're not connected. They are also quite confident in using mobile technology.
- Addicts (22.36%): This group openly acknowledges their internet addiction and recognizes its negative impact on their lives. They are the most confident in using new apps and technology. Their time online is significantly greater than that of the Casual Users.
Dr Brigitte Stangl, the lead author of the study at the University of Surrey, said:
"Our main aim was to clarify the difference between using the internet in a problematic way and being addicted to it. We found that the younger you are, the more likely you are to be addicted to the internet, and this tendency decreases with age.'
"We also wanted to explore how the severity of internet addiction affects users' experience with new, high-tech applications like augmented reality."
The researchers found no link between gender and online behavior. Additionally, higher levels of addiction correlated with more confidence in using mobile technology, particularly a greater willingness to try out new apps.
The study also discovered that emotional experiences (the emotions felt while using an app) strongly predicted future behavior for all groups when interacting with augmented reality. In contrast, action experiences (navigating a website or playing a game) were mostly irrelevant for addicts.
Dr Stangl concluded:
"Our study underscores the need for tailored interventions and support for individuals at various stages of internet addiction. The findings will certainly influence the design and development of digital services and AR applications, ensuring they cater to the diverse needs of users in the current digital environment."
Frequently Asked Questions
NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)
What is the difference between problematic internet use and internet addiction
Problematic use means going online longer than planned or letting some tasks slip, while addiction adds emotional reliance, unease when offline, and a felt loss of control. The spectrum treats these as separate stages rather than a single condition.
How many hours a day do young people spend online
People aged 24 and under spend an average of six hours a day online, mostly on smartphones. Those older than 24 average about 4.6 hours a day.
Does gender affect internet addiction levels
The University of Surrey study found no link between gender and online behavior. Addiction tendency was tied to age and mobile technology confidence instead.
What are the five types in the internet addiction spectrum
The five groups are Casual Users, Initial Users, Experimenters, Addicts-in-Denial, and Addicts. Each reflects a different level of time online, emotional reliance, and openness to new technology.
Why does internet addiction decrease with age
The research found younger users show stronger addiction tendencies that taper as people get older. Casual Users, the group with no addiction signs, had the oldest average age at 33.4 years.
What are Addicts-in-Denial
Addicts-in-Denial show addictive behaviors such as forming online relationships and neglecting responsibilities, yet refuse to admit unease when offline. They are also quite confident using mobile technology.
How can someone tell where they sit on the spectrum
People can compare their daily hours online, their comfort logging off, and any anxiety felt when disconnected against the five described groups. Honest self-assessment is the starting point before seeking tailored support.
Why does this study matter for people with disabilities and seniors
The categories and daily-use figures give caregivers, seniors, and people with disabilities a grounded reference for recognizing habits. They also show why support should be tailored to different stages rather than applied uniformly.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: What gives this study its weight is the refusal to treat internet use as a simple addicted-or-not question, replacing that blunt split with a five-stage continuum that even names an Addicts-in-Denial group - a category most of us would never volunteer ourselves into, yet one the data suggests is far from rare, and a reminder that honest self-assessment is the first step before any of the tailored interventions the researchers call for can actually help.*
Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by University of Surrey and published on 2 Oct 2023, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.
* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.