AUTHOR=Nik Jaafar Nik Ruzyanei , Bahar Norharlina , Ibrahim Normala , Baharudin Azlin , Wan Ismail Wan Salwina , Sim Su Tein , Abdul Aziz Melisa , Tan Kit-Aun 

TITLE=Are Malaysian Youths Overdependent on the Internet?: A Narrative Review

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.710790

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2021.710790

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=Overdependence on the internet is a grave concern that has enveloped Malaysian youths which could lead to a variety of sequelae. This narrative review aims to answer research questions: what defines internet overdependence, what are the factors that influence internet overdependence, what are the potential preventive and treatment strategies for internet overdependence. From the literature, internet overdependence is regarded as a 3-factor model encompassing salience, self-control failure, serious consequences. Sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, and ethnicity, whereas psychosocial factors such as depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness were found to be associated with internet overdependence among Malaysian youths. A multimodal treatment approach is recommended by the implementation of various types of treatment integrating disciplines such as pharmacology, psychotherapy and family counselling. Despite various terminology being used and unclear conceptualization of its nomenclature, overdependence on the internet is prevalent among youths in Malaysia. Future research should go towards establishing a clear definition of its terminology and attaining more robust evidence on treatment strategies.