Digital Media Use: From Problematic Use and Addiction to Healthy Media Engagement
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2025-07-22
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Oxford University Press
Abstract
Ever since the inclusion of “gaming disorder” in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and in the International Classification of Disease, much research attention has been given to pathological use of digital media (e.g., technology addiction). More broadly, many research studies focused on problematic patterns of digital media use that could potentially result in negative psychological outcomes. This chapter examines the current state of research on problematic and pathological media use. Specifically, the chapter presents how the use of technology devices (e.g., TV, phone, computer) could negatively affect interpersonal relationships and other psychological aspects related to well-being and psychological health. Furthermore, the chapter discusses technology addictions that are widely identified by the popular press, such as Internet addiction and video game addiction, with emphasis on definitional issues of addiction. Contrary to popular belief, this chapter argues that the amount of time spent on a digital media should not be used as a sole basis for labeling a behavior as “addictive.” Risk factors and outcomes of different pathological media use patterns are also discussed. Finally, the chapter summarizes the implication of the existing literature on healthy device management.
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Book chapter
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This accepted book chapter is published as Kim, E.L., Bender, P.K., Gentile, D.A., Digital Media Use: From Problematic Use and Addiction to Healthy Media Engagement. In The Oxford Handbook of media Psychology (2nd edition). Oxford University Press. Print ISBN: 9780197689875. July 22, 2025, Chapter 13;260–279.
https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197689875.013.0013