Global action on problematic usage of the internet: announcing a Lancet Psychiatry Commission

Digital technologies and societal problems are increasingly interconnected, and this nexus has important implications for mental health globally. Concerns exist about problematic usage of the internet (PUI), digital technology-related disorders, and their public health and societal costs. One 2020 meta-analysis found that around 7% of the world’s population show signs of internet addiction, and prevalence estimates have shown an increase over time, especially among young people. Specific types of PUI, such as problematic smartphone use, might have an even higher prevalence. Increased awareness of the association between PUI and mental disorders in general and the potential negative effects of social media use in particular has led to calls for more action to protect individuals, particularly children and youth, from online harm.