The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) is a 20-item self-report scale developed by Dr. Kimberly Young (1998), adapted from DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling. It is the most widely used Internet addiction screening tool worldwide, measuring the impact of online behavior on daily life, work/school, relationships, and psychological well-being. Takes approximately 5 minutes.

What Is the Internet Addiction Test (IAT)?

The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was developed by Dr. Kimberly Young of St. Bonaventure University in 1998, adapted from DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling. It is the most widely used Internet addiction screening tool internationally and has been translated into multiple languages including Chinese, French, Italian, Turkish, and Korean.

How Scoring Works

20 items, each rated 1-5 (1=Rarely, 2=Occasionally, 3=Frequently, 4=Often, 5=Always). Total score 20-100.

  • 20-30: Average online user
  • 31-49: Mild Internet addiction
  • 50-79: Moderate Internet addiction
  • 80-100: Severe Internet addiction
Chinese validation (Chen et al., 2003) suggests cutoff ≥58 for screening positive.

Psychometric Properties

  • Internal consistency α = .90-.93 (original sample)
  • Good test-retest reliability
  • Exploratory factor analysis typically yields a six-factor structure

Scoring Guide

20 items, 5-point Likert scale (1=Rarely, 5=Always). Total score range 20-100. Classification: 20-30=Average user, 31-49=Mild addiction, 50-79=Moderate addiction, 80-100=Severe addiction. Chinese validation (Chen et al., 2003) suggests cutoff ≥58. Original Cronbach's α = .90-.93 (Young, 1998).

Result Interpretation

After completing the 20 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:

  • Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
  • Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
  • Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available

All results are displayed instantly on screen. No account, email, or login required.