Internet and Mobile Phone Addiction Health and Educational Effects
10 / 10 2 ratings
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2019
- Publisher
- Mdpi AG
- Pages
- 311
- ISBN
- 9783038976059
This book compiles research on internet and mobile phone addiction, exploring its health and educational effects. It defines internet use-related addiction problems, such as internet addiction, problematic mobile phone use, problem gaming, and social networking, based on addictive symptomatology where technology use dominates an individual's life, leading to a loss of control, stress, and difficulties in daily management, impacting overall well-being. The text highlights the inclusion of Gaming Disorder as a mental disease by the World Health Organization in 2018 and the American Psychiatric Association's earlier call for further research on Internet Gaming Disorder.
The collected papers offer diverse perspectives on the concept, development, early detection, and prevention of these emerging health issues. They examine the influence of individual, social, and environmental factors on internet use-related addiction problems, with a particular focus on gaming and smartphone issues. This resource provides a comprehensive understanding of the public health, social, and educational implications of these technological addictions, offering insights for research, intervention, education, and prevention strategies.
The collected papers offer diverse perspectives on the concept, development, early detection, and prevention of these emerging health issues. They examine the influence of individual, social, and environmental factors on internet use-related addiction problems, with a particular focus on gaming and smartphone issues. This resource provides a comprehensive understanding of the public health, social, and educational implications of these technological addictions, offering insights for research, intervention, education, and prevention strategies.
Original edition
Internet and Mobile Phone AddictionOriginally published in 2019 English Mdpi AG
Other editions (1)
Listen to the summary Narrated summary
A pervasive and growing concern in our interconnected world is the emergence of problematic engagement with digital technologies, manifesting as internet and mobile phone addiction. This phenomenon is characterized by an addictive symptomatology where online activity consumes an individual's life, leading to a profound loss of control, heightened stress, and significant difficulties in managing various aspects of daily existence, ultimately eroding well-being and overall health. This collection of research delves into the intricate web of these behavioral addictions, acknowledging that while not all forms are officially recognized as clinical disorders, the impact is undeniably real and warrants urgent attention.
The discourse begins by establishing the current understanding of these digital dependencies. It highlights a critical milestone: the World Health Organization's inclusion of Gaming Disorder as a mental disease in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) in 2018, following the American Psychiatric Association's call for further research on Internet Gaming Disorder in 2013. This formal recognition underscores the severity and widespread nature of these problems, moving them from mere lifestyle choices to legitimate public health concerns.
A significant portion of the exploration is dedicated to the profound health implications of excessive internet and mobile phone use. It reveals a consistent link between problematic smartphone engagement and a spectrum of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Beyond diagnosed conditions, individuals often experience heightened loneliness, chronic stress, and a notable impairment of cognitive functions. The research points to a concerning comorbidity, where excessive digital use frequently co-occurs with other psychiatric disorders, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
The educational landscape also bears the brunt of this digital over-reliance. Extensive research demonstrates that smartphone addiction profoundly negatively impacts students' learning processes and overall academic performance. A clear correlation emerges: the more time dedicated to phone use during study periods, the greater the detrimental effect on academic achievement. This erosion extends to critical skills and cognitive abilities essential for academic success, painting a stark picture of the educational challenges posed by unchecked digital habits.
The contributing factors to these addictive behaviors are diverse and complex, often varying across different demographic groups. Problematic internet use is frequently observed among male adolescents, while online gambling addiction tends to be more prevalent in adults. Individuals struggling with internet addiction often present with co-occurring mental health issues, such as social anxiety and depression, suggesting a reciprocal relationship between these conditions. Furthermore, difficulties in managing emotions and inadequate coping mechanisms are identified as significant risk factors, increasing an individual's vulnerability to developing these digital dependencies.
In response to these escalating concerns, the research emphasizes the critical need for robust prevention and treatment strategies. It highlights advancements in the care, management, and early detection of these problems, advocating for a greater dissemination of knowledge regarding effective prevention methods. Education, in particular, is positioned as a vital protective factor. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy have shown promise in treating generalized internet addiction, and interventions implemented within school settings appear to be beneficial in mitigating internet addiction among younger populations.
Looking forward, the collected works advocate for a multi-faceted approach to address this global challenge. Policy recommendations include empowering professionals with evidence-based information, fostering further research in this evolving field, and implementing targeted educational programs for vulnerable populations to promote healthy internet use habits. The diverse perspectives, methodologies, and cultural contexts presented underscore the complex, biopsychosocial nature of internet use-related addiction problems, signaling the need for continued, cross-cultural research to fully comprehend and effectively combat this contemporary issue.
The discourse begins by establishing the current understanding of these digital dependencies. It highlights a critical milestone: the World Health Organization's inclusion of Gaming Disorder as a mental disease in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) in 2018, following the American Psychiatric Association's call for further research on Internet Gaming Disorder in 2013. This formal recognition underscores the severity and widespread nature of these problems, moving them from mere lifestyle choices to legitimate public health concerns.
A significant portion of the exploration is dedicated to the profound health implications of excessive internet and mobile phone use. It reveals a consistent link between problematic smartphone engagement and a spectrum of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Beyond diagnosed conditions, individuals often experience heightened loneliness, chronic stress, and a notable impairment of cognitive functions. The research points to a concerning comorbidity, where excessive digital use frequently co-occurs with other psychiatric disorders, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
The educational landscape also bears the brunt of this digital over-reliance. Extensive research demonstrates that smartphone addiction profoundly negatively impacts students' learning processes and overall academic performance. A clear correlation emerges: the more time dedicated to phone use during study periods, the greater the detrimental effect on academic achievement. This erosion extends to critical skills and cognitive abilities essential for academic success, painting a stark picture of the educational challenges posed by unchecked digital habits.
The contributing factors to these addictive behaviors are diverse and complex, often varying across different demographic groups. Problematic internet use is frequently observed among male adolescents, while online gambling addiction tends to be more prevalent in adults. Individuals struggling with internet addiction often present with co-occurring mental health issues, such as social anxiety and depression, suggesting a reciprocal relationship between these conditions. Furthermore, difficulties in managing emotions and inadequate coping mechanisms are identified as significant risk factors, increasing an individual's vulnerability to developing these digital dependencies.
In response to these escalating concerns, the research emphasizes the critical need for robust prevention and treatment strategies. It highlights advancements in the care, management, and early detection of these problems, advocating for a greater dissemination of knowledge regarding effective prevention methods. Education, in particular, is positioned as a vital protective factor. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy have shown promise in treating generalized internet addiction, and interventions implemented within school settings appear to be beneficial in mitigating internet addiction among younger populations.
Looking forward, the collected works advocate for a multi-faceted approach to address this global challenge. Policy recommendations include empowering professionals with evidence-based information, fostering further research in this evolving field, and implementing targeted educational programs for vulnerable populations to promote healthy internet use habits. The diverse perspectives, methodologies, and cultural contexts presented underscore the complex, biopsychosocial nature of internet use-related addiction problems, signaling the need for continued, cross-cultural research to fully comprehend and effectively combat this contemporary issue.
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