Parent-Child Internet Addiction Test

How do you know if your child may be addicted to the Internet? Many parents at least ask their children how much time they're spending on the Internet. Trouble is, most kids are apt to lie, especially if they're already addicted. If the computer is in their room, you have no way of knowing the truth. The following test may help you determine if you are dealing with Internet addiction in your home. It will be helpful to only consider the time your child uses the Internet for non-academic related purposes when answering.

Please answer the following questions using this scale:

1 = Not Applicable or Rarely.
2 = Occasionally.
3 = Frequently.
4 = Often.
5 = Always.

1. How often does your child disobey time limits you set for on-line use?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

2. How often does your child neglect household chores to spend more time on-line?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

3. How often does your child prefer to spend time on-line rather than with the rest of your family?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

4. How often does your child form new relationships with fellow on-line users?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

5. How often do you complain about the amount of time your child spends on-line?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

6. How often do your child's grades suffer because of the amount of time he or she spends on-line?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

7. How often does your child check his or her e-mail before doing something else?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

8. How often does your child seem withdrawn from others since discovering the Internet?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

9. How often does your child become defensive or secretive when asked what he or she does on-line?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

10. How often have you caught your child sneaking on-line against your wishes?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

11. How often does your child spend time alone in his or her room playing on the computer?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

12. How often does your child receive strange phone calls from new "on-line" friends?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

13. How often does your child snap, yell, or act annoyed if bothered while on-line?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

14. How often does your child seem more tired and fatigued than he or she did before the Internet came along?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

15. How often does your child seem preoccupied with being back on-line when off-line?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

16. How often does your child throw tantrums with your interference about how long he or she spends on-line?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

17. How often has your child choose to spend time on-line rather than doing once enjoyed hobbies and/or outside interests?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

18. How often does your child become angry or belligerent when you place time limits on how much time he or she is allowed to spend on-line?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

19. How often does your child choose to spend more time on-line than going out with friends?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

20. How often does your child feel depressed, moody, or nervous when off-line which seems to goes away once back on-line?

1 = Rarely
2 = Occasionally
3 = Frequently
4 = Often
5 = Always

Your Score:

After you've answered all the questions, add the numbers you selected for each response to obtain a final score. The higher the score, the greater the level of your child's Internet addiction. Here's a general scale to help measure the score:

20 - 49 points: Your child is an average on-line user. He or she may surf the Web a bit too long at times, but seems to have control of their usage.

50 - 79 points: Your child seems to be experiencing occasional to frequent problems because of the Internet. You should consider the full impact of the Internet on your child's life and how this has impacted the rest of your family.

80 - 100 points: Internet usage is causing significant problems in your child's life and most likely your family. You need to address these problems now.

If your child has scored too high for your comfort, please refer to:

Caught in the Net - to learn effective ways that parents can cope with on-line pedophiles, cyberporn, and Internet addiction.

Our Virtual Clinic - for immediate consultation on how to help your situation.

next: Test for Spouses/Partners of Internet Addicts
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