Non-Substance Addiction in Childhood and Adolescence–The Internet, Computer Games and Social Media

Overview

Journal Dtsch Arztebl Int

Specialties General Medicine
Public Health

Date 2021 Mar 22

PMID 33750533

Citations 14

Authors

Olga Geisel

Anneke Lipinski

Michael Kaess

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Around 5.8% of adolescents and 2.8% of young adults have an Internet-related disorder. These figures underline the widespread concerns in our society regarding the potential dangers and risks associated with Internet and digital media use.

Methods: Selective literature search for records on Internet-related disorders in children and adolescents.

Results: Internet-related disorders are now viewed as belonging to the behavioral addiction. Research has revealed similarities to substance-related disorders. There are often associations with other mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and personality disorders, as well as disturbed sleep patterns, increased risk taking, nicotine abuse, an unbalanced diet, and lack of exercise. Female adolescents are statistically significantly more often affected than male adolescents (7.1% versus 4.5%). The German STICA study, the first randomized controlled trial worldwide, demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy was effective compared with a waiting group (odds ratio 10.10, 95% confidence interval [3.69; 27.65]).

Conclusion: Internet-related disorders have not yet been conclusively conceptualized and operationalized. Further work is urgently required to refine the concepts of both the illness and and its treatment.

Citing Articles

Computer and Internet Use Among Children and Adolescents in Greece: Levels of Addiction.

Toska A, Karampelas K, Fradelos E, Sarafis P, Papathanasiou I, Koutelekos I Cureus. 2025; 16(12):e75942.

PMID: 39830557 PMC: 11740641. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.75942.

Exploring internet addiction during Covid-19 pandemic: a comparative study considering psychological, social, familial and individual aspects in University students.

Faramarzi M, Karim B, Gholami Z, Khoshkhou F, Shirazi F, Soghli N Health Sci Rep. 2024; 7(10):e70118.

PMID: 39416344 PMC: 11480122. DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.70118.

Social Media Addiction and Cognitive Behavioral Physical Activity Among Adolescent Girls: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Sonmez Sari E, Terzi H, Sahin D Public Health Nurs. 2024; 42(1):61-69.

PMID: 39402902 PMC: 11700928. DOI: 10.1111/phn.13446.

Dose-Response Associations of Internet Use Time and Internet Addiction With Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Children and Adolescents: Cross-Sectional Study.

Li J, Sun W, Luo Z, Liu Y, Huang X, Jiang D JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2024; 10:e53101.

PMID: 39311878 PMC: 11423272. DOI: 10.2196/53101.

Lifestyle Habits Related to Internet Use in Adolescents: Relationships between Wellness, Happiness, and Mental Health.

Lesinskiene S, Sambaras R, Butvilaite A, Andruskevic J, Kubileviciute M, Stanelyte U Children (Basel). 2024; 11(6).

PMID: 38929305 PMC: 11202085. DOI: 10.3390/children11060726.

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