TY - JOUR
T1 - Policy and Prevention Approaches for Disordered and Hazardous Gaming and Internet Use
T2 - an International Perspective
AU - King, Daniel L.
AU - Delfabbro, Paul H.
AU - Doh, Young Yim
AU - Wu, Anise M.S.
AU - Kuss, Daria J.
AU - Pallesen, Ståle
AU - Mentzoni, Rune
AU - Carragher, Natacha
AU - Sakuma, Hiroshi
PY - 2017/7/4
Y1 - 2017/7/4
N2 - Problems related to high levels of gaming and Internet usage are increasingly recognized as a potential public health burden across the developed world. The aim of this review was to present an international perspective on prevention strategies for Internet gaming disorder and related health conditions (e.g., Internet addiction), as well as hazardous gaming and Internet use. A systematic review of quantitative research evidence was conducted, followed by a search of governmental reports, policy and position statements, and health guidelines in the last decade. The regional scope included the USA, UK, Australia, China, Germany, Japan, and South Korea. Prevention studies have mainly involved school-based programs to train healthier Internet use habits in adolescents. The efficacy of selective prevention is promising but warrants further empirical attention. On an international scale, the formal recognition of gaming or Internet use as a disorder or as having quantifiable harms at certain levels of usage has been foundational to developing structured prevention responses. The South Korean model, in particular, is an exemplar of a coordinated response to a public health threat, with extensive government initiatives and long-term strategic plans at all three levels of prevention (i.e., universal, selective, and indicated). Western regions, by comparison, are dominated by prevention approaches led by non-profit organizations and private enterprise. The future of prevention of gaming and Internet problems ultimately relies upon all stakeholders working collaboratively in the public interest, confronting the reality of the evidence base and developing practical, ethical, and sustainable countermeasures.
AB - Problems related to high levels of gaming and Internet usage are increasingly recognized as a potential public health burden across the developed world. The aim of this review was to present an international perspective on prevention strategies for Internet gaming disorder and related health conditions (e.g., Internet addiction), as well as hazardous gaming and Internet use. A systematic review of quantitative research evidence was conducted, followed by a search of governmental reports, policy and position statements, and health guidelines in the last decade. The regional scope included the USA, UK, Australia, China, Germany, Japan, and South Korea. Prevention studies have mainly involved school-based programs to train healthier Internet use habits in adolescents. The efficacy of selective prevention is promising but warrants further empirical attention. On an international scale, the formal recognition of gaming or Internet use as a disorder or as having quantifiable harms at certain levels of usage has been foundational to developing structured prevention responses. The South Korean model, in particular, is an exemplar of a coordinated response to a public health threat, with extensive government initiatives and long-term strategic plans at all three levels of prevention (i.e., universal, selective, and indicated). Western regions, by comparison, are dominated by prevention approaches led by non-profit organizations and private enterprise. The future of prevention of gaming and Internet problems ultimately relies upon all stakeholders working collaboratively in the public interest, confronting the reality of the evidence base and developing practical, ethical, and sustainable countermeasures.
KW - DSM-5
KW - Internet addiction
KW - Internet gaming disorder
KW - Policy
KW - Prevention
KW - Public health
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85021813570&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://purlorg.au-research/grants/arc/de170101198
U2 - 10.1007/s11121-017-0813-1
DO - 10.1007/s11121-017-0813-1
M3 - Review article
C2 - 28677089
AN - SCOPUS:85021813570
SN - 1389-4986
VL - 19
SP - 233
EP - 249
JO - PREVENTION SCIENCE
JF - PREVENTION SCIENCE
IS - 2
ER -