<p>Problematic interactive media use in teens: comorbidities, assessment, and treatment</p>

Abstract

Problematic Interactive Media Use (PIMU), aka internet or video game addiction, is increasingly presenting to pediatricians for care. The majority of youth now use mobile media almost constantly to communicate, learn, and entertain themselves, but for some, uncontrolled video gaming, social media use, pornography viewing, and information-bingeing on short videos or websites contribute to functional impairment. PIMU can result in academic failure, social withdrawal, behavioral problems, family conflict, and physical and mental health problems. There is no formal diagnosis to describe the spectrum of PIMU behaviors and therefore no standardized therapeutic interventions. Anticipatory guidance will help identify youth at risk and empower parents to recognize and prevent problems. In addition, epidemiology and etiology indicate that Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), affective disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may predispose to and, in some cases, result from PIMU, offering opportunities for effective treatment by addressing underlying pathology that is manifesting itself in the interactive media environment. Efforts to establish evidence-based diagnoses, develop and evaluate therapeutic strategies, and to train clinicians in recognition and care of PIMU are reviewed.

Screen use habits among children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders: A cross-sectional study from Turkey

“…The percentage of those having a computer was similar in a previous study from Turkey conducted in a similar socio-cultural setting (Gunes et al, 2018). Pluhar et al (2019) recently reported that adolescents' ownership and access to smartphones markedly increased in recent years (Pluhar et al, 2019). For example, 87% of American teenagers aged between 13-17 years have their own desktop/laptop computers or have regular access to these devices, while 58% have their own tablets or have regular access to a tablet (Lenhart, 2015a).…”

“…Although the increment is clear, the prevalence rates for PIU vary among the studies ranging between 0.8% to 14% (Poli & Agrimi, 2012;Sussman, Harper, Stahl, & Weigle, 2018;Wu et al, 2013). The large discrepancies between the studies may be related to diagnostic tools, methodological differences, population-based, cultural differences, and diverse behavioral norms (Kawabe et al, 2016;Pluhar et al, 2019;Rich, Tsappis, & Kavanaugh, 2018).…”

“…In today's world, the Internet and screen media use has an essential place in children's and adolescents' lives (Domoff et al, 2019;Lissak, 2018;Pluhar, Kavanaugh, Levinson, & Rich, 2019). The phrase "screen," in other words "electronic screen-based device use", involves television (TV), computer, tablet, mobile phone, and/or smartphone use that enables media connection, video game playing, and/or Internet access (Lissak, 2018;Twenge & Campbell, 2018).…”

“…Evidence shows a trend towards an increased use of the Internet and the occurrence of problematic internet use (PIU) in child and adolescent populations (Pluhar et al, 2019). For example, in 2014 about 24% of adolescents surveyed/ studied may have had some form of PIU (Lenhart, 2015b), while in 2018 these numbers were about 45% (Monica & Jingjing, 2008).…”

“…For example, in 2014 about 24% of adolescents surveyed/ studied may have had some form of PIU (Lenhart, 2015b), while in 2018 these numbers were about 45% (Monica & Jingjing, 2008). Similarly, interactive media use, especially access to smartphones, increased from 73% in 2014 to 95% in 2018 (Lenhart, 2015b;Pluhar et al, 2019). Although the increment is clear, the prevalence rates for PIU vary among the studies ranging between 0.8% to 14% (Poli & Agrimi, 2012;Sussman, Harper, Stahl, & Weigle, 2018;Wu et al, 2013).…”