Cited by 371Impact of Technology on AdolescentsSexuality, Behavior, and TechnologyGambling Behavior and Treatments

Internet addiction in adolescence: neurobiological, psychosocial and clinical issues

Cerniglia, L., Zoratto, F., Cimino, S., Laviola, G., Ammaniti, M., Adriani, W.·2017·Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

Abstract

Despite it has not been formally included in DSM-5 as a disorder, 'Internet addiction (IA)' has become a worldwide issue. It can be broadly defined as a non-chemical, behavioral addiction, which involves human-machine interaction. We pinpoint it as an "instrumental" form of social interaction (i.e. mediated by machines), a notion that appears useful for the sake of possible preclinical modeling. The features of Internet use reveals as addictive when this comes at the expense of genuine real-life sociability, with an overlap towards the hikikomori phenomenon (i.e., extreme retreat to one's own room). Due to the specific neuro-developmental plasticity in adolescence, IA poses risks to youths' mental health, and may likely produce negative consequences in everyday life. The thwarted development of adolescents' identity, self-image and adaptive social relationships is discussed: the IA adolescents often suffer loss of control, feelings of anger, symptoms of distress, social withdrawal, and familial conflicts. Further, more severe clinical conditions are also associated to IA, such as dysthymic, bipolar, affective, social-anxiety disorders, as well as major depression. This paper overviews the literature on IA, from neuro-biological, psycho-social and clinical standpoints, taking into account recent debates on diagnostic criteria, nosographic label and assessment tools. Neuroimaging data and neurochemical regulations are illustrated with links to pathogenetic hypotheses, which are amenable to validation through innovative preclinical modeling.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.12.024

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Authors
Cerniglia, L., Zoratto, F., Cimino, S., Laviola, G., Ammaniti, M., & Adriani, W.
Affiliations
  • UniNettuno University (IT)
  • Istituto Superiore di Sanità (IT)
  • Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
Corresponding author
  • Cimino, S.
  • Adriani, W.
Venue
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-05
Volume
76
Issue
Pt A
Pages
174-184
ISSN
0149-7634 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2566105604
Cited by
371
References
153
Citations by year
2026: 34 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 48 · 2023: 46 · 2022: 57 · 2021: 44 · 2020: 45 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 9
FWCI
7.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • IRIS Research product catalog (Sapienza University of Rome) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
Keywords
internet addiction, adolescents, behavioral addiction, hikikomori, social withdrawal, identity construction, social anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, neuroimaging, neurochemistry, preclinical animal models, diagnostic criteria, disease classification
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Major Depressive Disorder, Humans, Behavior, Addictive, Internet

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