Title: State of the Art in Problematic Usage of the Internet; Models, Mechanisms and Interventions
Date: 30-31 March
The internet is a powerful force for good, but can also have damaging effects on health and wellbeing of people. Problematic Usage of the Internet (PUI) includes a variety of behaviours such excessive gambling, gaming, pornography watching, social media use, compulsive shopping, among others. It often affects young people and those suffering from mental disorders and in many cases it becomes amplified as a result of the social isolation and increased reliance on digital communication arising during the COVID-19 pandemic and is responsible for considerable burden and suffering for afflicted individuals and their families. However, as this is a relatively new field, knowledge about PUI and how to recognise and treat it remains at a preliminary stage. In the UK, mental health services are only just starting to be established.
Date: 30-31 March
The internet is a powerful force for good, but can also have damaging effects on health and wellbeing of people. Problematic Usage of the Internet (PUI) includes a variety of behaviours such excessive gambling, gaming, pornography watching, social media use, compulsive shopping, among others. It often affects young people and those suffering from mental disorders and in many cases it becomes amplified as a result of the social isolation and increased reliance on digital communication arising during the COVID-19 pandemic and is responsible for considerable burden and suffering for afflicted individuals and their families. However, as this is a relatively new field, knowledge about PUI and how to recognise and treat it remains at a preliminary stage. In the UK, mental health services are only just starting to be established.
The forthcoming hybrid conference State of the Art in Problematic Usage of the Internet; Models, Mechanisms and Interventions (30-31 March 2022) marks the culmination of four year's networking activities by COST Action CA16207 - the European Network for Problematic Usage of the Internet (PUI) – an international research-focused networking initiative, led by Prof Naomi Fineberg at the University of Hertfordshire, whose goal is to advance the understanding of PUI from a translational psychiatry perspective strengthened by robust public engagement.
The conference brings together the World’s leading authorities on PUI, and will provide a ‘state of the art’ update on the different forms of PUI, the key psycho-socio-biological models and mechanisms explaining the development of these compulsive behaviours and disorders, evidence-based therapeutic interventions and new developments in health policies and clinical services, with particular reference to the UK healthcare landscape. The conference is free and the audience will learn how to better recognise PUI, understand its causes, and offer help for those suffering from disabling internet-related compulsive and addictive forms of behaviour.
During the event a series of video clips highlighting the diffusion of PUI in society will be launched. Prof Ornella Corazza at the University of Hertfordshire who led the art work commented: “This video project is a fantastic achievement where cutting-edge arts, involving animation, music, sound design and addiction science come together to convey an evidence based message to a public audience through the medium of film. Over the past 6 months, a group of researchers worked with artists to bring new and excellent research on PUI to a wider audience, while raising awareness about the risks associated with such behaviours and providing innovative solutions”. The clips are now available for view from the project website.