Introduction to the Special Issue on problematic behaviors related to Internet and digital technology use: Facts, conjectures, and oranges

Abstract

The Internet and its negative consequences to mental health is one of the fastest growing research fields over the past decade. This editorial gives an overview of available knowledge on problematic behaviors related to Internet use. The current psychiatric terminology recognizes disorders due to substance use or addictive behaviors, with gaming disorder as the only mental disorder related to Internet use. There may be relationships between different mental disorders characterized primarily by impulsive, compulsive, and addictive behaviors and problematic Internet use (PIU) and disordered gaming. Marked variability was found in the prevalence of PIU and gaming disorder globally, with a myriad of factors that may lead to and/or maintain these behaviors. Research studies showed that individuals with PIU and gaming disorder may have distinctive psychological profiles with specific cognitive changes. Functional and structural neural and neurochemical abnormalities in the brain may also be present. Finally, treatments of these conditions have already emerged. Eleven selected articles for this Special issue dealing with specific aspects of problematic behaviors related to Internet use were also discussed.