Federation research helps shape global response to internet addiction

Problem gambling, gaming disorders and compulsive social media use are among a growing range of digital-age addictions creating significant health, social and financial harms worldwide.

Increasingly, researchers are finding these behaviours often occur together and alongside mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, creating complex challenges for individuals, families and health services.

Federation University's Distinguished Professor Shane Thomas is helping shape international solutions to these challenges on the forthcoming Lancet Commission on Problematic Use of the Internet and through his recent participation in the International Gambling Think Tank in Auckland, a global forum focused on reducing gambling harm and addressing related behavioural addictions.

The recent think tank brought together leading scientists, researchers, clinicians, policymakers and service providers from around the world to examine emerging evidence and develop strategies to reduce gambling harm.

Professor Thomas presented work undertaken as part of the Lancet Commission on Problematic Use of the Internet (PUI), which is being led by Professor Naomi Fineberg from the University of Hertfordshire, a Federation University academic partner.

A Lancet Commission is a high-level international collaboration that brings together global experts to investigate major health and societal challenges and develop evidence-based recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.

“It's been an amazing privilege to work alongside some of the world's leading scientists, policymakers, clinicians and people with lived experience,” Professor Thomas said.

The Commission is examining a range of internet-related behavioural addictions, including problem gambling, internet gaming disorder, problematic social media use, compulsive shopping and other compulsive online behaviours.

“While the internet provides enormous benefits through communication, access to information and digital services, it also creates opportunities for potentially addictive behaviours, particularly among young people,” Professor Thomas said.

Australia is among a growing number of countries to have introduced measures aimed at addressing some of these challenges, including age restrictions for access to social media.

Internet use has expanded rapidly over the past two decades, bringing substantial social and economic benefits. At the same time, researchers have become increasingly concerned about the prevalence and impacts of internet-related addictions and their links to broader mental health issues.

“One of the most important findings emerging from the Commission's work is that these behavioural addictions often occur together and are frequently associated with other mental health conditions, particularly anxiety and depression,” Professor Thomas said.

“That has important implications for prevention, treatment and the way support services are designed.”

Professor Thomas said the Commission's work highlighted the need for coordinated approaches that recognise the complex and interconnected nature of behavioural addictions.

“The framework developed through the Commission emphasises prevention, mitigation and treatment as part of an integrated response,” he said.

“We need services that can respond to the reality that many people experience multiple behavioural addictions and other mental health challenges at the same time.”

According to the Lancet Public Health Commission on Gambling, an estimated 80 million adults globally experience gambling disorder or problematic gambling. Australia also records the highest per-capita gambling losses in the world, with annual losses estimated at $25 billion nationally, with people with gambling disorders losing on average $21,000 per annum and carrying an accumulated average gambling debt of $50,000, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

The Auckland discussions also highlighted growing overlap between gambling and gaming disorders, and the challenges facing health services in supporting people with complex and co-occurring conditions.

A key outcome of the Think Tank was agreement among delegates to draw on findings from the Lancet Commission on Gambling and the forthcoming Lancet Commission on Problematic Use of the Internet to help develop an international advocacy manifesto.

The manifesto is intended to support governments and policymakers in developing evidence-based services and supports for people affected by gambling and other behavioural addictions.

Federation University researchers are contributing to a growing body of work in digital health, behavioural addiction and mental wellbeing. In addition to Professor Thomas, Federation researchers working in related areas include Dr Natalia Albein-Urios, Dr Robert Teese, Associate Professor Evita March, Dr Danielle Wagstaff, Distinguished Professor Colette Browning, Professor Keir Reeves and PhD researchers Lochie Timms-Mclean and Liam Thomas.

“These issues continue to evolve rapidly. It is important that research, policy and clinical practice evolve with them,” Professor Thomas said.

Further information about the findings of the Lancet Commission on Problematic Use of the Internet will be released following publication of the Commission's final report.