A Psychosocial Approach to Treating Young People's and Young Adults' Computer Addictions

The article discusses the problem of digital addiction among adolescents and young adults within the context of socio-anthropology. Given the presence of this problem, we formed, as part of a project at the faculty and part of the psychotherapeutic approach to the treatment of the problem, an individual and a group program for the psychosocial treatment of digital addiction for adolescents and young adults. In the present article we clearly present both programs, which represent an innovative curative quality program. Both are designed coherently and focus on the manifested symptoms as well as on the treatment of the psychosocial background. They are designed on the basis of positive foreign practices, are adequately upgraded with consultative-therapeutic modality elements and are designed systematically and continuously, with the proper context and activity upgrade all the way up to the adolescent's regain of control over his life.

The Repercussion of the Internet on Psychological Wellbeing

The internet is an essential and integral part of our lives, whether it's about looking for a meaning of a word, searching for a journal, shopping, or connecting to others. Human beings cannot think of life without the internet. Although it's having a positive impact, the negative side is there. Problematic internet use is defined as non-chemical or behavioral addictions, which involve human-machine interactions and can be harmful as it leads to numerous forms of psychological disorders. The chapter addresses various psychopathologies arising due to excessive internet use (e.g., problematic internet use, online gaming, online gambling, and compulsive cybersex). The chapter frames a strong theoretical background along with recent controversial issues related to the disorder. The chapter is delineated to acquaint readers with new concepts arising in clinical psychology that will help mental health professionals to be well equipped with skills required for the prevention and treatment of internet-related psychological disorders.

The Impact of Family on Digital Addiction

As the internet becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, there is a growing concern on the antecedents that contribute to some of the adverse effects such as internet addiction. Parents are important and influential agents, and their parenting practices may promote or prevent the development of internet-related problems. This chapter provides a review of family factors surrounding child internet addiction such as parental monitoring and parental guidance, parental mediation, internet parenting styles, parental norms and behaviors, parent and child characteristics, family functioning and parent marital conflict, quality of the parent-child and peer relationship and culture as highlighted in previous research. Common limitations on past research on family factors and child internet addiction are noted and future research directions are suggested. Finally, family-based solutions and recommendations to prevent children from developing internet addiction are provided in the light of previous findings.

Internet Addiction

Internet addiction (IA) is typically defined as a condition where an individual has lost control of their internet use and proceeds to use the internet excessively to the point where he/she experiences problematic consequences which ultimately have a negative effect on his/her life. The authors examine what constitutes an addiction, the definition of internet addiction, the complications which exist in the various diagnostic methods of successfully diagnosing internet addiction, the criticism some of these diagnostic methods have taken and the effects of excessive internet use by both students and employees. They also highlight those individuals who are of increased risk of developing this condition including positive diagnosis of the addiction and the resultant effects it has on the individual's family life, employment, social life and personal wellbeing, before finally looking at possible methods and treatments that can be employed for treating internet addiction.

Outdoor Approaches for Smartphone Addiction

Research has shown the value of exposure to nature and specifically children playing outdoors. With the growth of technology and mobile devices, children and adults are often less active outdoors. As digital addiction continues to rise, a common response is promoting the value of the outdoors and going device free. This chapter provides research and recommendations on smartphone addiction and treatment options, as well as, the benefits of the outdoors. The chapter specifically focuses on a variety of approaches, movements, and campaigns for treating smartphone addiction through outdoor activity. Results of these options and limitations of current research will also be presented.

Psychological Maltreatment and Digital Addiction

Internet use enhances people's quality of life, yet, excessive use may lead to various problems for their healthy development and wellbeing. Understanding the risks and protective factors in the development of internet addiction have importance to promote individuals' mental health and wellbeing. Therefore, the purpose of the present chapter is to explore the role of psychological maltreatment in the development of internet addiction. Psychological maltreatment is a significant public health problem associated with a range of short and long-term mental health and wellbeing outcomes during the period from childhood to adulthood. Considering the outcomes, it is clear that maltreated individuals are at risk to develop internet addiction disorder, and psychological maltreatment has a crucial role in the development of internet addiction. However, evidence on this issue is relatively limited, and there is a need for further research investigating short and long-term impacts of psychological maltreatment on internet addiction.

Games We Play

The aim of this research was to study frequencies of playing live and digital games, and to test for gender differences, to identify the most frequently played games, and to explore association between well-being indicators and frequency of playing. We found low positive association between frequency of playing of live and digital games. Most frequently played live games were various card games, and Shooter games were most frequent among digital games. Male participants played more frequently both live and digital games. Male participants played more action and simulation computer games, while female participants preferred puzzles and card games. Internet addiction was positively correlated to the amount of time spent logged on to the internet, and higher levels of loneliness and depression. Participants who played live games more reported lower levels of depression. Participants who played digital games more, spent more time logged to the internet, reported higher levels of internet addiction, but lower levels of depression.

Personality, Internet Addiction, and Other Technological Addictions

There has been a significant shift from the view that addictions are disorders involving compulsive drug usage to a view that non-substance related behaviors may now be considered addictions. There is evidence to suggest that people are showing signs of addiction to non-substance-related behaviors. Research into technological addictions, such as internet addiction, smartphone addiction and social networking addiction has exponentially increased over the last decade. Understanding how technological addictions relate to personality and key individual differences is important. This chapter provides renewed empirical and conceptual insights into technological addictions and how they may be related to different personality types and key individual differences. The complex nature of personality and technological addictions is discussed together with areas for future research.

Intervention of Smartphone Addiction

Since IBM released the Simon Personal Communicator in 1992, smartphones have brought modernization, convenience, communication, and revolution to human society. The smartphone has become inextricable from human beings due to its fantastic features and marvelous functions. With innumerable benefits, people are addicted to smartphones without knowing it. Many researchers have examined smartphone addiction, specifically the definitions, symptoms, criteria, risk factors, and consequences of smartphone addiction in the past decades; however, the intervention strategies and the effects of intervention for smartphone addiction are scant. More research is needed to help smartphone addicts and to avoid smartphone addiction in the long run. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the definitions, symptoms, criteria, reasons, and consequences for smartphone addiction as well as to explore intervention strategies for preventing smartphone addiction. Hopefully, this chapter will contribute to digital addiction a bit and help prevent smartphone addiction.

Treatment of Internet Addiction and Internet Gaming Disorder in Adolescence

Internet use is growing year after year and adolescents represent a large proportion of internet users. There is a scholarly interest in teen internet gaming disorder (IGD) and internet addiction (IA) is constantly increasing, but little is known about the treatments of IA and IGD. This study systematically reviews the literature of the last fifteen years, focusing on two main aspects: adolescence, and IA and IGD intervention programs. The inclusion criteria were (1) contain empirical data, (2) include an analysis relating to IA or IGD, (3) include teen samples aged between 13 and 19 years or with an average age within this range, and (4) provide a full-text article published in English. A total number of 17 papers were included, 7 focused on IA and 10 focused on IGD. Prevalence and different treatment-related outcomes are discussed.