Mapping policies related to problematic usage of the internet in seven European countries: Netherlands, Spain, Hungary, Lithuania, Portugal, Estonia and Switzerland

© 2026 The AuthorsThis work presents a policy analysis regarding Problematic Usage of the Internet (PUI) across seven countries (Netherlands, Spain, Hungary, Lithuania, Portugal, Estonia, and Switzerland) belonging to or associated with the European Union (EU). I It examines legislative instruments...

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Authors: Larrain B.; van Kessel R.; Mosler K.; Penazzi G.; Corazza O.; Achab S.; Stein D.J.; Ekhtari H.; Bowden-Jones H.; Ioannidis K.; Barbati V.; Demetrovics Z.; Chamberlain S.R.; Carmi L.; Zohar J.; Rumpf H.-J.; Hall N.; Menchon J.M.; Sales C.; Montag C.; Lindenberg K.; Susi M.; Huizink A.; Potenza M.N.; Pallanti S.; Morgan N.; Moreno C.; Purper-Ouakil D.; Brand M.; Yucel M.; Czako A.; Walitza S.; Burkauskas J.; Felvinczi K.; Smith M.; Wellsted D.; Jones J.; Dias T.S.; Foster S.; Mohler-Kuo M.; Neumann I.; Fongaro E.; Fally S.; Oliveira H.; Abregu-Crespo R.; Sepulveda-Palomo M.; Fineberg N.A.; Roman-Urrestarazu A.
Format: Article
Status:Published version
Publication date:2026
Country:Chile
Institution:Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Repository:Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.uc.cl:11534/111480
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2026.152674
https://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/111480
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Addictive Behaviours
Adolescents
Europe/
Mental Health
Problematic Use of Internet
Public Policy
Summary:© 2026 The AuthorsThis work presents a policy analysis regarding Problematic Usage of the Internet (PUI) across seven countries (Netherlands, Spain, Hungary, Lithuania, Portugal, Estonia, and Switzerland) belonging to or associated with the European Union (EU). I It examines legislative instruments addressing PUI and its multifaceted impacts on society, including social, economic, and political dimensions. Despite the growing prevalence of PUI, particularly among adolescents, and its association with various mental health concerns, the study reveals a notable gap in direct policy interventions targeting PUI within these countries. Existing regulations largely focus on broader digital governance issues like data protection, cybersecurity, and market regulation, offering only indirect approaches to mitigating PUI's adverse effects. Our findings highlight a pressing need for innovative policy frameworks that incorporate mental health considerations into digital governance, promoting a balanced approach that fosters market innovation while ensuring robust public health protections. Building on the policy discourse examined in this study, future research should focus on developing targeted, multidimensional strategies to mitigate the risks associated with problematic internet use (PUI), with particular emphasis on safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable populations.

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