TY - JOUR
T1 - Problematic use of the Internet in low- and middle-income countries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
T2 - A scoping review
AU - Gjoneska, Biljana
AU - Potenza, Marc N
AU - Jones, Julia
AU - Sales, Célia M D
AU - Hranov, Georgi
AU - Demetrovics, Zsolt
PY - 2022/12
Y1 - 2022/12
N2 - People from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) represent large portions of the world population, often occupy less favorable living conditions, and typically suffer greater health risks, yet frequently receive little research and global health attention. The present study reviews emerging evidence on problematic use of the Internet (PUI) in LMICs prior/during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzed studies mainly focused on general properties of PUI in university students, problematic gaming in youth, or problematic use of social media in adults, registering higher prevalence estimates, as compared with earlier reports. Research mainly focused on initially affected regions and COVID-exposed populations. Overall, unfavorable circumstances, including poor social support, family relationships, and lifestyle tendencies/habits, may present potential risk for PUI in LMICs, likely exacerbated during the pandemic.
AB - People from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) represent large portions of the world population, often occupy less favorable living conditions, and typically suffer greater health risks, yet frequently receive little research and global health attention. The present study reviews emerging evidence on problematic use of the Internet (PUI) in LMICs prior/during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzed studies mainly focused on general properties of PUI in university students, problematic gaming in youth, or problematic use of social media in adults, registering higher prevalence estimates, as compared with earlier reports. Research mainly focused on initially affected regions and COVID-exposed populations. Overall, unfavorable circumstances, including poor social support, family relationships, and lifestyle tendencies/habits, may present potential risk for PUI in LMICs, likely exacerbated during the pandemic.
KW - COVID-19
KW - Internet use
KW - Low-income countries
KW - Middle-income countries
KW - Behavioural change
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85137396200&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.cobeha.2022.101208
DO - 10.1016/j.cobeha.2022.101208
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85137396200
VL - 48
JO - Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences
JF - Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences
M1 - 101208
ER -
