Problematic use of the internet during the COVID-19 pandemic: Good practices and mental health recommendations

Gjoneska, Biljana; Potenza, Marc N; Jones, Julia; Corazza, Ornella; Hall, Natalie; Sales, Célia M D; Grünblatt, Edna; Martinotti, Giovanni; Burkauskas, Julius; Werling, Anna Maria; Walitza, Susanne; Zohar, Joseph; Menchón, José M; Király, Orsolya; Chamberlain, Samuel R; Fineberg, Naomi A; Demetrovics, Zsolt

doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152279

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Gjoneska, B., Potenza, M. N., Jones, J., Corazza, O., Hall, N., Sales, C. M. D., Grünblatt, E., Martinotti, G., Burkauskas, J., Werling, A. M., Walitza, S., Zohar, J., Menchón, J. M., Király, O., Chamberlain, S. R., Fineberg, N. A., & Demetrovics, Z. (2022). Problematic use of the internet during the COVID-19 pandemic: Good practices and mental health recommendations. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 112, 152279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152279

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 viewi