Is there such a thing as Internet or video game addiction?

The increasing use of new technologies as a medium of communication makes us all potential Internet and video game addicts. That said, adolescents are particularly vulnerable to this sort of addiction, since they use computers, new technologies and the Internet both for learning/education and recreation. As a result, teenagers tend to spend an ever increasing amount of time in front of a computer screen visiting chat rooms, playing online games, visiting social networking sites, searching for information, buying products or receiving services. Communication problems within the family, or difficulties integrating into the school environment ,are other factors associated with excessive computer use.