Health response to problematic usage of the internet: A global survey on trends, available treatments and key challenges

Khojasteh Zonoozi, Arash and Schofield, Joe and Abolghasemi, Fateme Sadat and Achab, Sophia and Ambekar, Atul and Bowden-Jones, Henrietta and Demetrovics, Zsolt and Ebrahimi, Mohsen and Fineberg, Naomi A. and Khazaal, Yasser and Lee, Hae Kook and Siste, Kristiana and Stein, Dan J. and Wu, Anise M. S. and Zare-Bidoky, Mehran and Potenza, Marc N. and Baldacchino, Alexander Mario and Ekhtiari, Hamed (2026) Health response to problematic usage of the internet: A global survey on trends, available treatments and key challenges. JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL ADDICTIONS, 15 (1). pp. 195-208. ISSN 2062-5871

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Abstract

Background and Aims Problematic usage of the internet (PUI) is a growing global concern, emerging among more than 5.3 billion people who use the internet worldwide. While specific forms such as online gaming and gambling are recognized as disorders or conditions for further study in diagnostic manuals, global data on prevalence, treatment, and health responses to PUI remain limited. This study aimed to obtain perspectives from representatives of addiction medicine/psychiatry societies regarding the scope, treatment, and health responses to PUI and identify gaps. Methods A global survey was conducted through the International Society of Addiction Medicine's Global Expert Network (ISAM-GEN), involving addiction societies from 38 countries across Europe, Asia/Oceania, the Americas, and Africa. The survey assessed responses to non-specific PUI and five subtypes: online gaming, gambling, pornography, social media, and online shopping. It included case scenarios and questions on the significance and severity of PUI, and country-level health responses. Results Online gambling (94.8%) and gaming (86.9%) were the most frequently reported PUI forms, followed by social media (84.2%), pornography (68.3%), and online shopping (52.6%). Psychotherapeutic approaches, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, were the most widely available treatments, reported as accessible by over 70% of country respondents. Despite growing awareness—reflected in the formation of PUI interest groups in 44.7% of societies—gaps were reported, including lack of professional certification (78.9%), insufficient practitioner education (68.4%), and inadequate expert training (63.2%). Notably, 65.8% rated the 10-year severity of PUI as extremely or very important. Discussion & Conclusion Global attention to PUI is increasing, but more robust healthcare responses are needed. Addressing existing gaps requires enhanced training and sustainable international efforts.

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