Internet Addiction Test (IAT)
Internet Addiction Test · Also known as: Internet Addiction Test Young, IAT-20, IAT screening
The IAT is a 20-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure problematic internet use and internet addiction. Developed by Kimberly Young in 1998, it was one of the first validated screening tools for internet-related compulsive use. The IAT assesses loss of control, salience (preoccupation with internet), withdrawal symptoms, and negative consequences. It remains widely used in research on internet addiction, particularly in adolescents and young adults.
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When to use it
The IAT is recommended for screening problematic internet use in adolescents and young adults, particularly in clinical and educational settings. It is appropriate for ages 13+. The IAT is especially valuable in identifying individuals whose internet use is beginning to interfere with academics, relationships, or health. It can guide referral to mental health specialists or intervention programs. The IAT is less appropriate as a diagnostic tool (no official diagnosis of 'internet addiction' exists) or as a measure of healthy technology engagement; it focuses on pathological use only.
Strengths & limitations
- Pioneering measure — the IAT was one of the first validated screening tools for internet-related problems and remains widely used in 40+ countries.
- Practical brevity — 20 items, 5–10 minute completion time, suitable for rapid screening in busy clinics and schools.
- Strong psychometric properties — good internal consistency (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.85), test-retest reliability (r ≥ 0.84 over 4-week interval), and reasonable convergent validity with behavioral internet use patterns.
- Captures dimensions of addiction — loss of control, withdrawal, salience, and negative consequences align with addiction frameworks.
- Extensively translated and validated — 30+ language versions and validation studies across diverse cultures.
- Does not diagnose a recognized clinical disorder — internet addiction is not in DSM-5; the IAT is a screening tool, not diagnostic.
- Conflates heavy use with pathological use — some individuals with high IAT scores (e.g., online workers, esports athletes) use the internet extensively yet functionally without addiction.
- Does not distinguish by internet activity — problematic gaming, social media use, or pornography consumption may have different risk factors and treatment needs; the IAT lumps all together.
- Cut-off scores not universally agreed upon — thresholds vary by country, age group, and study; interpretation requires population norms.
- Does not assess motivation for use — online engagement for work/education differs from entertainment or escape; the IAT does not distinguish these contexts.
Frequently asked
Is internet addiction an official diagnosis?
Internet addiction is not in DSM-5 or ICD-11 as a standalone diagnosis. DSM-5 lists 'Internet Gaming Disorder' as a condition warranting further research. The IAT is a screening tool for problematic internet use, not a diagnostic instrument for a recognized disorder. Use it to identify at-risk individuals who warrant clinical assessment, not for definitive diagnosis.
I scored 55 on the IAT. Am I addicted to the internet?
An IAT score of 55 suggests moderate problematic internet use. However, diagnosis requires assessment of actual functional impairment: Is your internet use interfering with school/work, relationships, sleep, or health? Are you unable to control how long you use the internet despite wanting to? Discuss with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation. Time online alone does not diagnose addiction; impact on functioning does.
My teenager spends 6 hours a day gaming. Should I be concerned?
Time online is only one factor. Assess actual functioning: Are grades slipping? Are relationships neglected? Is sleep disrupted? Is the teenager distressed by the amount of time gaming? If gaming is integrated with healthy sleep, school, and social life, it may not indicate addiction despite high time. Administer IAT and discuss with the teenager about perceived control and consequences to guide intervention decisions.
What should I do if my IAT score is high?
First, assess your actual functioning: sleep quality, academic/work performance, relationship quality, mood, and time spent on non-internet activities. If these are impacted by internet use, speak with a mental health professional. Strategies may include: reducing time in high-temptation activities, increasing offline social engagement, setting internet-free times/zones, and addressing underlying mood or social concerns that may drive excessive use.
Sources
- Young, K. S. (1998). Internet addiction: The emergence of a new clinical disorder. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 1(3), 237–244. DOI: 10.1089/cpb.1998.1.237 ↗
- Young, K. S. (2010). Internet addiction: A handbook and guide to evaluation and treatment. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. link ↗
- Pontes, H. M., & Griffiths, M. D. (2016). Portuguese validation of the Internet Addiction Test: An expanding international perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 164. link ↗
How to cite this page
ScholarGate. (2026, June 3). Internet Addiction Test. ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/en/clinical-psychology/internet-addiction-test
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