Internet Addiction: A Public Health Concern in Adolescence

The Internet has become an important channel for communication, source of information, education tool, entertainment hub and social network in the contemporary world. With the popular use of smart phones, people can connect to the internet at any place, at any time. However, easy accessibility, anonymity, rich entertainment programs, and information explosion in the internet also attract young people to an extent that may adversely affect their physical health, psychological well-being, family life and academic performance. Although there is no agreed upon definition and assessment of internet addiction, there are research findings showing that problems or pathological use of the internet can lead to a wide range of personal, interpersonal, family and social problems. Hence, internet addiction is an emerging public health concern in different places in the world. Overall speaking, this is a valuable piece of work which is very useful to paediatricians, health professionals and researchers in the field of Internet addiction.