Addressing taxonomic challenges for Internet Use Disorders in light of changing technologies and diagnostic classifications: Commentary on: "how to overcome taxonomical problems in the study of Internet use disorders and what to do with "smartphone addiction"?" (Montag et al., 2020)

Abstract

Drawing a distinction between mobile and non-mobile Internet Use Disorders is an important step to clarify blurred current concepts in the field of behavioral addictions. Similarly, future technological advances related to virtual or augmented reality, artificial intelligence or the Internet of things might lead to further modifications or new taxonomies. Moreover, diagnostic specifiers like offline/online might change with technological advances and trends of use. An important taxonomical approach might be to look for common structural characteristics of games and applications that will be amenable to new technical developments. Diagnostic and taxonomical approaches based on empirical evidence are important goals in the study of behavioral addictions.