INFO-DIGITAL ADDICTION: A NEW INTEGRATED CONCEPT AND TERM FOR NON-CHEMICAL ADDICTIONS RELATED TO THE USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract

The aim of this work is to draw the attention of the scientific community to the necessity of a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon related to gaming or internet addiction, social media addiction, and other types of addictions often generalized under the term “digital addiction” or “technological addiction”. This article proposes the introduction and use of a new integrated term, “Info-Digital Addiction” (IDA), which takes into account the interdependence and interconnectedness of both information and digital technologies that exist inseparably from each other, as well as the complexity and multifaceted nature of the phenomenon under consideration. The analysis is based on an extensive review of literature and current research. The introduction of a unified term is necessary for the standardization, integration, and unification of the understanding of the entire spectrum of this issue and the development of common strategies for the prevention and treatment of the vast variety of types of this non-chemical (behavioral) addiction among children and adults, which, in the future, will likely need to be distinguished and defined as a separate group of addictions. The topic of the article represents an innovative and controversial approach to the study of addiction related to the use of information and digital technologies.