Seniors are now digitally active
In the rapidly advancing digital world, internet addiction has emerged as a significant issue, affecting individuals across all age groups, including those nearing retirement. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the severity of this issue by including "Internet Gaming Disorder" (IGD) in the ICD-11, an internationally applied classification of diseases, in 2021.
Characterized by preoccupation, withdrawal, tolerance, escape, deception, and continued use despite negative consequences, internet addiction, or Problematic Internet Use (PIU), shares similarities with other behavioral addictions such as gambling or substance use disorders. Psychologist Klaus Wölfling, head of the gaming addiction clinic at the University Medical Center Mainz, warns against overdiagnosis, stating, "We don't want to create a digital pandemic."
The age composition of patients seeking treatment now ranges up to retirement age, with Klaus Wölfling reporting a 25% increase in treatments for adults aged 30 to 67 since 2021. Loneliness during the pandemic is a main reason why older people are increasingly losing themselves in the vastness of the internet.
Internet addictions are diagnosed much more frequently than those not related to substances. In therapy, patients learn discipline and can live without problematic internet activities, such as pornography and social media. At least five out of nine psychological criteria must be met over a period of at least 12 months to determine a true addiction, as explained by Wölfling.
For those unsure about their internet usage, Klaus Wölfling recommends a digital detox, suggesting a trial period of 5 to 7 weeks. Extended rest periods from digital devices should be observed preventively, not just at bedtime. In severe cases of internet addiction, inpatient therapy may be necessary, with patients undergoing a digital detox to address the addiction. However, patients don't have to completely give up the internet, but should avoid problematic offerings.
As digitalization moves to the forefront in most professions and social life, constantly presenting new trends such as artificial intelligence, finding and implementing rest periods becomes an important task, according to Wölfling. An abstinence-oriented therapy could be a path out of internet addiction, providing individuals with the tools to navigate the digital world responsibly and maintain a healthy balance.
Science and health-and-wellness, particularly mental health, are increasingly intertwined in the digital age. The ageing population is not immune to this, as noted by psychologist Klaus Wölfling who reported a 25% increase in treatments for internet addiction amongst adults aged 30 to 67 since 2021.
