Non-substance addiction in childhood and adolescence - the Internet, computer games and social media

Geisel, Olga; Lipinski, Anneke; Kaess, Michael (2021). Non-substance addiction in childhood and adolescence - the Internet, computer games and social media. Deutsches Ärzteblatt international, 118(1-2), pp. 14-22. Deutscher Ärzte-Verlag 10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0002

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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.

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