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Problematic Internet and Smartphone Use as a Public Health Concern

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Center for Gambling Studies, School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Interests: problematic technology use; behavioral addiction; gaming disorder; internet addiction; problematic smartphone use; the nexus of video gaming and gambling

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Access to the Internet has become essential for everyday activities such as education, work, socialization, and entertainment. The rise of high-speed mobile networks has significantly enhanced Internet accessibility through smartphones. However, this widespread integration of digital technologies into daily life has sparked considerable public health concerns. As usage patterns evolve, reports of problematic Internet and smartphone behaviors have surged, encompassing issues like addictive behaviors, as well as adverse effects on physical and psychosocial well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges, as many individuals have increasingly relied on digital devices for both professional and personal connections.

This Special Issue seeks to delve into the complex dimensions of problematic Internet and smartphone use, highlighting its implications for individual and societal health. We welcome contributions that investigate psychological, social, and behavioral facets of excessive and addictive digital engagement, along with innovative intervention strategies and policy considerations. By fostering a comprehensive understanding of this pressing issue, we aim to inform public health initiatives and guide future research. We encourage authors to utilize diverse methodologies and perspectives, enriching the discourse around this critical contemporary challenge.

Dr. Wen Li Anthony
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • problematic internet use
  • problematic smartphone use
  • problematic social media use
  • internet addiction
  • smartphone addiction
  • digital well-being
  • problematic technology use
  • public health

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

12 pages, 425 KiB  
Article
Parenting Style and Child Internet Addiction in China: Mediation Effect of Parental Active Meditation
by Shu-Wen Liu, Sheng Chen, Chienchung Huang and Julia Vallario
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(4), 461; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040461 - 21 Mar 2025
Viewed by 994
Abstract
With the rapid advancement of technology, internet addiction among children has become a growing concern, particularly in China. This study examines the impact of different parenting styles on internet addiction and the role of parental mediation on the relationship among Chinese children. A [...] Read more.
With the rapid advancement of technology, internet addiction among children has become a growing concern, particularly in China. This study examines the impact of different parenting styles on internet addiction and the role of parental mediation on the relationship among Chinese children. A survey of 600 Chinese families with children aged 6 to 17 was conducted in 2024. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), the results reveal that authoritative parenting is linked to lower levels of internet addiction, while authoritarian and permissive parenting are associated with higher levels. Parental mediation partly mediates this relationship, with authoritative parents who are actively involved with their children’s internet activities showing a reduced risk of addiction. The findings highlight that both parenting style and parental intervention are key factors in addressing internet addiction among Chinese children. Encouraging authoritative parenting alongside active mediation may help children mitigate internet addiction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Problematic Internet and Smartphone Use as a Public Health Concern)
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