Internet Addiction disorder is a global and significant problem

Prevention and treatment of  Internet Addiction is to be discussed at the Australian & New Zealand Addiction Conference, to be held at the Outrigger Surfers Paradise, 5th – 6th March 2015.

Prevention and treatment of Internet addiction

Prevention strategies for at risk groups of adolescents and children and specialised treatments programs are to be discussed at Addiction 2015, which will cover behavioural addictions.

Dr. Kimberly Young is the founder of The Center for Internet Addiction. Below is summary of her findings from the 2014  Internet Congress on Internet Addiction Disorders held in Milan:  Future initiatives based on the Congress are determining:

1] Defining Internet addiction (be it problematic Internet use, pathological Internet use, technology addiction, or other terms, we need to define a clear set of standardized criteria).

2] Consider how co-morbid psychiatric syndromes and personality traits play a role in the development of Internet addiction disorders.

3] Consider how age of onset (and age in general with the introduction of technology) influences childhood development and what parents and families need to know for prevention and what resources are available to them as well as to schools.

4] Conduct outcome studies to investigate the best practices in treating Internet addiction disorders among adolescents and adults.

5] Examine the role of culture in the development of Internet addiction disorders and how public health policies through government and healthcare systems can enable more effective responses for providing resources, prevention, education, and treatment.

ADDICTION 2015  - The Australian & New Zealand Addiction Conference will be held at the Outrigger Surfers Paradise, 5th – 6th March 2015. If you require more information please email secretariat@addictionuaustralia.org.au. The Call for Abstracts is open and can be submitted online www.addictionaustralia.org.au.