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Preventing Harmful Internet Use-Related Addiction Problems in Europe: A Literature Review and Policy Options

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  • Olatz Lopez-Fernandez

    (Monash Addiction Research Centre, Turning Point, Easter Health Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia)

  • Daria J. Kuss

    (International Gaming Research Unit, Cyberpsychology Research Group, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK)

Abstract

Internet use-related addiction problems are increasingly being recognized on a European scale due to international health organizations considering gaming addiction. In April 2013, the American Psychiatric Association recognized Internet Gaming Disorder in the fifth Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and in April 2018, the World Health Organization included Gaming Disorder in the eleventh International Classification of Diseases. However, findings on these problems within this period are lacking in Europe, and a preventive approach is missing globally. A detailed critical literature review was conducted using PsycINFO and Web of Science in this five-year period. A total of 19 studies were reviewed and problems identified were: generalized Internet addiction and online gaming and gambling addictions across seven European countries (i.e., Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, The Netherlands, and Denmark). The individuals with problematic use were found to be educated adolescents, usually young males with comorbid disorders, and gaming and gambling disorders were implicated in the most severe cases. Cognitive behavioral therapy was the main treatment, sometimes combined with a systemic approach for adolescents. Prevalence, high-risk populations, and factors contributing to these addiction problems are discussed, and a set of policy options are developed for this region. The implications for early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in Europe are considered.

Suggested Citation

  • Olatz Lopez-Fernandez & Daria J. Kuss, 2020. "Preventing Harmful Internet Use-Related Addiction Problems in Europe: A Literature Review and Policy Options," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-20, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:11:p:3797-:d:363524
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Olatz Lopez-Fernandez, 2018. "Generalised Versus Specific Internet Use-Related Addiction Problems: A Mixed Methods Study on Internet, Gaming, and Social Networking Behaviours," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-33, December.
    2. Soo-Hyun Paik & Hyun Cho & Ji-Won Chun & Jo-Eun Jeong & Dai-Jin Kim, 2017. "Gaming Device Usage Patterns Predict Internet Gaming Disorder: Comparison across Different Gaming Device Usage Patterns," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Vega González-Bueso & Juan José Santamaría & Daniel Fernández & Laura Merino & Elena Montero & Joan Ribas, 2018. "Association between Internet Gaming Disorder or Pathological Video-Game Use and Comorbid Psychopathology: A Comprehensive Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-20, April.
    4. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
    5. Olatz Lopez-Fernandez & Daria J. Kuss & Halley M. Pontes & Mark D. Griffiths & Christopher Dawes & Lucy V. Justice & Niko Männikkö & Maria Kääriäinen & Hans-Jürgen Rumpf & Anja Bischof & Ann-Kathrin G, 2018. "Measurement Invariance of the Short Version of the Problematic Mobile Phone Use Questionnaire (PMPUQ-SV) across Eight Languages," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-25, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Olatz Lopez-Fernandez & Lucia Romo & Laurence Kern & Amélie Rousseau & Pierluigi Graziani & Lucien Rochat & Sophia Achab & Daniele Zullino & Nils Inge Landrø & Juan José Zacarés & Emilia Serra & Maria, 2022. "Perceptions Underlying Addictive Technology Use Patterns: Insights for Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Olatz Lopez-Fernandez, 2021. "Emerging Health and Education Issues Related to Internet Technologies and Addictive Problems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-19, January.
    3. Concetta De Pasquale & Federica Sciacca & Valentina Martinelli & Matteo Chiappedi & Carmela Dinaro & Zira Hichy, 2020. "Relationship of Internet Gaming Disorder with Psychopathology and Social Adaptation in Italian Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-8, November.
    4. Steve Sussman & Deborah Louise Sinclair, 2022. "Substance and Behavioral Addictions, and Their Consequences among Vulnerable Populations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-5, May.
    5. Melina A. Throuvala & Mark D. Griffiths & Mike Rennoldson & Daria J. Kuss, 2021. "Perceived Challenges and Online Harms from Social Media Use on a Severity Continuum: A Qualitative Psychological Stakeholder Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-26, March.
    6. Jensen Deutrom & Vasilis Katos & Mohamed Basel Al-Mourad & Raian Ali, 2022. "The Relationships between Gender, Life Satisfaction, Loneliness and Problematic Internet Use during COVID-19: Does the Lockdown Matter?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, January.

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