Problem internet use among children and adolescents from the general practitioner’s perspective

Diagnosis of internet and new technology overuse by young people may, in general, contribute to a rather vague picture of “addiction”, and with it a sense of inadequacy as far as making effective therapeutic recommendations is concerned.

Due to the lack of unambiguous recommendations on treatment, this paper provides a review of the state of knowledge about excessive involvement of children and adolescents in internet activity. Particular emphasis was placed on the critical revision of the available knowledge on so-called internet addiction and presenting utilitarian content for the daily paediatrician or family doctor’s clinical practice.

The making of differential diagnosis can be difficult. In case of doubt, it is worth directing a young patient to a psychiatrist to exclude other than “addictive” grounds. It is worth taking into account the social (family – system) context of difficulties as therapeutic intervention is one of the main forms of treatment and may lead to recovery.