A Narrative Review of Digital Addiction and Health: A New Challenge for Modern Medicine

Digital addiction, encompassing problematic use of the internet, smartphones, gaming, and social media, has emerged as a growing global public health concern. This narrative review synthesises current evidence on the epidemiology, neurobiological underpinnings, diagnostic challenges, health consequences, and management strategies for digital addiction. Prevalence estimates vary widely, with higher rates reported in low- and middle-income countries and among adolescents and university students. Neuroimaging and neurochemical studies demonstrate alterations in reward pathways and prefrontal control networks, mirroring mechanisms seen in substance use disorders (SUDs). Clinically, digital addiction contributes to sleep disruption, visual strain, musculoskeletal problems, psychiatric comorbidities, impaired academic and occupational functioning, and increased risk behaviours. Diagnosis remains challenging due to the absence of universally accepted criteria, though instruments such as Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), and newer culturally adapted tools show promise. Management approaches include early educational interventions, parental strategies, cognitive-behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, pharmacological options in select cases, and digital detox programmes, though evidence for long-term efficacy remains limited. Emerging artificial intelligence-driven psychoinformatics offers novel opportunities for early detection and personalised intervention. Overall, digital addiction represents a behavioural addiction with substantial biopsychosocial impacts, warranting greater clinical recognition, policy attention, and high-quality research to establish effective, scalable prevention and treatment strategies.