Title : Preventing internet addiction: Community and school-based interventions for health professionals
Abstract:
Internet addiction has emerged as a significant behavioral and public health concern, particularly among children and adolescents who are exposed to digital media at increasingly younger ages. While clinical management often focuses on individual treatment, growing evidence suggests that prevention strategies implemented at the community and school levels are more effective in reducing long-term harm. This keynote addresses internet addiction as a preventable lifestyle disorder shaped by social, educational, and environmental determinants rather than solely individual behavior.
The lecture highlights the pivotal role of schools as early intervention settings and communities as enabling environments for healthy digital habits. Evidence-based school-based programs, parent education initiatives, and community awareness strategies are discussed, along with their integration into primary healthcare systems. Emphasis is placed on the evolving role of health professionals—not only as clinicians but also as educators, advocates, and collaborators in multidisciplinary prevention efforts.
By shifting the focus from treatment to prevention, this keynote aims to equip health professionals with practical frameworks to identify early risk, support families, and contribute to sustainable, population-level solutions. The session concludes with a call for coordinated action to promote digital well-being and protect future generations from the adverse consequences of uncontrolled internet use.
Key Words: Internet Addiction Disorder; Adolescent; Schools; Community Health Services; Primary Prevention
