Prevalence of problematic Internet use during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Burkauskas, Julius; Gecaite-Stonciene, Julija; Demetrovics, Zsolt; Griffiths, Mark D; Király, Orsolya
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in behavioral sciences. Volume 46(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Psychology -- Periodicals; 150.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2022.101179
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-1546

Abstract

Abstract : The present paper reviews recent studies on problematic Internet use (PIU) prevalence before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Several pre-pandemic meta-analyses reported PIU prevalence estimates ranging from 6% to 9.7%. Experts in the field of online addictions speculated that PIU would increase during the pandemic because of increased time spent on the Internet. However, it is still unclear if increased time on the Internet resulted in higher PIU prevalence estimates during the pandemic. Prevalence estimates differed greatly across studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Possible inconsistencies are outlined together with future directions for PIU prevalence studies. Highlights: Prevalence estimates of problematic internet use (PIU) are highly inconsistent. Some inconsistencies stem from screening tools and samples heterogeneity. Pre-pandemic meta-analyses suggest PIU prevalence estimates range from 6% to 9.7%. Many experts raised concerns that PIU would increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, studies report PIU prevalence tendencies similar to those pre-pandemic.