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Combatting digital addiction: Current approaches and future directions

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  • Cemiloglu, Deniz
  • Almourad, Mohamed Basel
  • McAlaney, John
  • Ali, Raian

Abstract

In recent years, the notion of digital addiction has become popular. Calls for solutions to combat it, especially in adolescents, are on the rise. Whilst there remains debate on the status of this phenomenon as a diagnosable mental health condition; there is a need for prevention and intervention approaches that encourage individuals to have more control over their digital usage. This narrative review examines digital addiction countermeasures proposed in the last ten years. By countermeasures, we mean strategies and techniques for prevention, harm reduction, and intervention towards addictive digital behaviours. We include studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 2010 and 2021 and based on empirical evidence. In total, 87 studies were included in the review. The findings show that the main countermeasures could be grouped under four categories: psycho-social, software mediated, pharmacological, and combined. Overall, it has been shown that the proposed countermeasures were effective in reducing addictive digital use. However, a general statement on the efficacy of proposed countermeasures cannot be made due to inconsistent conceptualisation of digital addiction and methodological weaknesses. Accordingly, this review highlights issues that need to be addressed in future studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Cemiloglu, Deniz & Almourad, Mohamed Basel & McAlaney, John & Ali, Raian, 2022. "Combatting digital addiction: Current approaches and future directions," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:68:y:2022:i:c:s0160791x21003079
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101832
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yang Gyeong Yoo & Min Jeong Lee & Boas Yu & Mi Ra Yun, 2019. "The Effect of Mind Subtraction Meditation on Smartphone Addiction in School Children," Global Journal of Health Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(10), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Longstreet, Phil & Brooks, Stoney & Gonzalez, Ester S., 2019. "Internet addiction: When the positive emotions are not so positive," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 76-85.
    3. Ahmed, Oli & Nayeem Siddiqua, Syeda Jannatun & Alam, Najifa & Griffiths, Mark D., 2021. "The mediating role of problematic social media use in the relationship between social avoidance/distress and self-esteem," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    4. Longstreet, Phil & Brooks, Stoney, 2017. "Life satisfaction: A key to managing internet & social media addiction," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 73-77.
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    2. Sanchis, Raúl G., 2023. "Towards a general equilibrium theory of allocation of time for the digital revolution era," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).

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