Rumpf, Hans-Jürgen, Batra, Anil, Bleckmann, Paula, Brand, Matthias, Gohlke, Andreas, Feindel, Holger, Große Perdekamp, Maria, Leménager, Tagrid, Kaess, Michael, Markowetz, Alexander, Mößle, Thomas, Montag, Christian, Müller, Astrid, Müller, Kai, Pauly, Anne, Petersen, Kay-Uwe, Rehbein, Florian, Schnell, Katja, te Wildt, Bert, and Thomasius, Rainer
Recommendations of the Expert Group on the Prevention of Internet-related Disorders Abstract. Background: Research on Internet-related Disorders is still in its infancies. This is especially true for preventive efforts and early intervention. Method: Initiated by the German Drug Commissioner, Mrs. Marlene Mortler, a group of experts developed recommendations on the prevention of Internet-related Disorders on behalf of the Council of Drugs and Addiction of the German federal government. The recommendations were consented within the group of experts. Results: Currently, the prevention of Internet-related Disorders is not sufficiently based on scientific evidence. Therefore, the efficacy of existing programs is not proven. In addition, most programs focus on behavior-oriented primary prevention and rarely on early interventions. The potential of structural prevention is rarely exploited yet. From concepts of preventive efforts in other areas and in general health promotion some potentially efficacious measures can be derived. These often relate to concepts on the prevention of addiction. It is urgently demanded that efficacious concepts are considered when planning prevention and early intervention of Internet-related Disorders. Currently, the supply of preventive measures in this area can be regarded as deficient. Among others, the expert group gives the following recommendations: 1) Preventive measures should be as close as possible geared to scientific evidence. Only efficacious programs should be implemented nationwide. 2) Efficacious measures on early intervention that can reach a large part of the target group should be promoted. 3) The potential of intensifying structural prevention efforts with regard to ways of protecting minors, restrictions of media use, product design, advertising restrictions, and conditions of the environment should be considered. 4) Research in the areas of mechanisms and prevention of Internet-related disorders has to be promoted urgently. 5) It is recommended to establish a center or network of competence and an expert-commission that can serve as first-choice main-contact by stakeholders (federal states, municipalities, institutions) for investigating measures or giving recommendations in the areas of prevention and early interventions. 6) Regional coordinating centers responsible for providing preventive programs as well as concepts of advanced training and networking are of importance and should be aimed for. These coordinating centers should cooperate with the center/network of competence and the expert-commission. 7) An early warning system to promptly identify new games and apps with high addiction potential should be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]