Preventing problematic internet use during the COVID-19 pandemic: Consensus guidance

Király, Orsolya; Potenza, Marc N; Stein, Dan J; King, Daniel L; Hodgins, David C; Saunders, John B; Griffiths, Mark D; Gjoneska, Biljana; Billieux, Joël; Brand, Matthias; Abbott, Max W; Chamberlain, Samuel R; Corazza, Ornella; Burkauskas, Julius; Sales, Célia M D; Montag, Christian; Lochner, Christine; Grünblatt, Edna; Wegmann, Elisa; Martinotti, Giovanni

doi:10.5167/uzh-187921

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Király, O., Potenza, M. N., Stein, D. J., King, D. L., Hodgins, D. C., Saunders, J. B., Griffiths, M. D., Gjoneska, B., Billieux, J., Brand, M., Abbott, M. W., Chamberlain, S. R., Corazza, O., Burkauskas, J., Sales, C. M. D., Montag, C., Lochner, C., Grünblatt, E., Wegmann, E., … et al. (2020). Preventing problematic internet use during the COVID-19 pandemic: Consensus guidance. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 100, 152180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2020.152180

Abstract

As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments have introduced steps such as spatial distancing and "staying at home" to curb its spread and impact. The fear resulting from the disease, the 'lockdown' situation, high levels of uncertainty regarding the future, and financial insecurity raise the level of stress, anxiety, and depression experienced by people all around the world. Psychoactive substances and other reinforcing behaviors (e.g., gambling, video gaming, watching pornography) are often used to reduce stress and anxi