Prevention Strategies and Interventions for Internet Use Disorders Due to Addictive Behaviors Based on an Integrative Conceptual Model

Abstract

Purpose of Review With increasing use of the Internet throughout our daily lives, Internet use disorders (IUDs) due to addictive behaviors are gaining recognition. As an umbrella term, IUD covers an array of online behaviors that are potentially addictive. The growing population of Internet and smartphone users also raised public health concerns over IUD in regard to adverse cognitive, developmental, psychosocial, and physical consequences. While scientific literature to date has tended to focus on specific forms of IUD such as gaming or pornography, confining our attention to only these specific areas may impede research on the combined effects of multiple online addictive behaviors-often the clinical reality in maladapted Internet use. Taking this broader approach may also facilitate prioritization in policymaking and more efficient allocation of public health and clinical resources. This paper discusses conceptual application of a public health model at the society level and an integrative model at the individual level in IUD intervention strategies. Current treatment modalities of IUD are also reviewed from a biopsychosocial perspective. Recent Findings We propose that the harms of IUD are mediated by (1) risky/harmful content, (2) excessive/maladaptive use, and (3) financial burden. Prevention strategies that reduce the potential negative effects of these mediators may be useful against IUD. Summary Prevention and intervention efforts against IUD should not only target the "host" (individual vulnerabilities) but also the "agent" (media-related risks) and "environment" risks to better address complexities in the phenomena. The current mainstream therapeutic modality is psychosocial intervention. Further studies on psychopharmacology and neuromodulation are needed to broaden our therapeutic options for IUD.tf

Internet addiction and associated factors among medical and allied health sciences students in northern Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

“…For example, problems with self-care, difficulty in performing daily routine, pain and discomfort, anxiety, and depression were the consequences of internet addiction reported among young Vietnamese population (15–25 years of age) comprising a mixture of high school and university students [ 18 ]. Other literature reported consistent findings, which also included additional critical mental, physical, and social problems associated with internet addiction among university students [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 9 , 11 , 15 , 17 , 22 , 24 ]. Internet addiction problems should, therefore, be addressed both as a public health and clinical problem focusing on reducing potential negative psychosocial consequences of risky/ harmful content, excessive/ maladaptive use, and financial burden [ 11 ], particularly on the high-risk populations.…”

“…Internet addiction among university/college students increases the risk of negative mental, physical, social, and financial consequences [ 1 , 11 , 12 ]. These include suicide, depression, psychological distress (depressive symptoms), anxiety, aggression, poor academic performance, cognitive impairment, poor dietary habits, lack of sleep, visual and hearing impairment, social isolation, and substance abuse such as cigarette smoking and alcohol use [ 2 , 4 , 11 , 13 – 18 ]. The physical health consequences also include thromboembolism, musculoskeletal, ophthalmic, and metabolic problems [ 11 ].…”

“…These include suicide, depression, psychological distress (depressive symptoms), anxiety, aggression, poor academic performance, cognitive impairment, poor dietary habits, lack of sleep, visual and hearing impairment, social isolation, and substance abuse such as cigarette smoking and alcohol use [ 2 , 4 , 11 , 13 – 18 ]. The physical health consequences also include thromboembolism, musculoskeletal, ophthalmic, and metabolic problems [ 11 ]. These problems are likely to have devastating consequences to the wellbeing of students across universities in Tanzania, which may have a long-term impact on the social and economic welfare of the country.…”

Predictors of Perception of Mental Health Challenges among Healthcare Students in a Medical University

“…Various studies across the globe have evaluated the effectiveness of these therapies. 13 Internet use disorders (IUDs Continuous educational interventions towards mental health problems always result in better perception of university students towards MHCs in their university life. 14 The university students, mainly the students, who belong to health care faculties should have a positive perception towards MHCs as they are the future health care providers of the country.…”

Considering existing classic and contemporary proposals for preventing online addiction problems: Some old recipes for new problems. •

“…Contrarily, in the more experienced Asiatic countries, it seems governments lead the public health strategy with a global response in respect to the levels of prevention (Koh, 2017;Zhan & Chan, 2012). Indeed, researchers have stated that above all by governments and technological industry can lead policy and prevention options (Kir aly et al, 2018;Lee et al, 2019). Perhaps this is a crucial point to strengthen Swanton and colleagues (2019) framework, as the technology industry has a key role in preventing technological addiction problems.…”