Comprehensive Psychiatry (Jan 2022)
Problematic use of the internet during the COVID-19 pandemic: Good practices and mental health recommendations
- Biljana Gjoneska,
- Marc N. Potenza,
- Julia Jones,
- Ornella Corazza,
- Natalie Hall,
- Célia M.D. Sales,
- Edna Grünblatt,
- Giovanni Martinotti,
- Julius Burkauskas,
- Anna Maria Werling,
- Susanne Walitza,
- Joseph Zohar,
- José M. Menchón,
- Orsolya Király,
- Samuel R. Chamberlain,
- Naomi A. Fineberg,
- Zsolt Demetrovics
Affiliations
- Biljana Gjoneska
- Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Skopje, Macedonia; Corresponding author at: Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Krste Misirkov 2, Skopje, Macedonia.
- Marc N. Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry and Child Study Centre, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Connecticut Mental Health Centre, New Haven, CT, USA; Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT, USA
- Julia Jones
- Centre for Research in Public Health and Community Care, University of Hertfordshire, UK
- Ornella Corazza
- Department of Clinical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, UK; Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
- Natalie Hall
- Centre for Health Services and Clinical Research, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
- Célia M.D. Sales
- Centre for Psychology, University of Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
- Edna Grünblatt
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and the ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Giovanni Martinotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, Clinical Sciences, University “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, Chieti-Pescara, Italy; Department of Clinical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, UK
- Julius Burkauskas
- Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Palanga, Lithuania
- Anna Maria Werling
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Susanne Walitza
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and the ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Joseph Zohar
- Sackler Medical School, Tel Aviv University, Chaim Sheba Medical Center Tel Hashomer, Tel Aviv, Israel
- José M. Menchón
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, University of Barcelona, Cibersam, Barcelona, Spain
- Orsolya Király
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Samuel R. Chamberlain
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
- Naomi A. Fineberg
- University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK; Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK; University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
- Zsolt Demetrovics
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming, University of Gibraltar, Gibraltar; Corresponding author at: Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming, University of Gibraltar, Gibraltar, GX111AA Gibraltar, Europa Point Campus, Europa Point, Gibraltar.
- Journal volume & issue
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Vol. 112
p. 152279
Abstract
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the accelerated spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus came jurisdictional limitations on mobility of citizens and distinct alterations in their daily routines. Confined to their homes, many people increased their overall internet use, with problematic use of the internet (PUI) becoming a potential reason for increased mental health concerns. Our narrative review summarizes information on the extent of PUI during the pandemic, by focusing on three types: online gaming, gambling and pornography viewing. We conclude by providing guidance for mental health professionals and those affected by PUI (with an outline of immediate research priorities and best therapeutic approaches), as well as for the general public (with an overview of safe and preventative practices).
