Conceptualization of Internet Addiction Based on the Public Health Perspective

Abstract

With rapidly growing Internet and smartphone use in daily life, Internet use disorder (IUD) is gaining increased recognition, along with an associated rise in scientific evidence and public health concerns about its adverse cognitive, developmental, psychosocial, and physical consequences. Problematic use of the Internet and other technologies is directly related to social, cultural, and economic environments; examining the social and environmental factors within the public health framework is important in understanding IUD and developing intervention strategies. The authors present a conceptual model of IUD based on the public health model and the continuum model of addictive disorders and positing that health problems result from interactions among the agent mediating the disorder, those experiencing the disorder, and the social and environmental context in which the disorder occurs. Addictive online media components and predisposing biological, cognitive, psychological, and environmental factors increase risk for developing IUD, so prevention and intervention should not only target individual vulnerabilities, but also media-related risk and the environment to better address the complex phenomena of IUD. Intervention approaches to IUD must be tailored along a continuum of severity ranging from social to problematic use, and across a spectrum of intervention strategies ranging from primary to tertiary approaches. Multidisciplinary efforts are needed that combine various areas of expertise including prevention, treatment, education, and consumer protection to develop effective strategies for reducing harmful Internet use and promoting healthy digital media and device use.