New Trends in Virtual World Addictions and Problematic Internet Use

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to contribute to the forthcoming Special Issue, “New Trends in the Virtual World: Addictions and Problematic Internet Use”, in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 

The relevance of computer-mediated communication in contemporary society and the growth of internet-related activities in the general population have been met with increasing interest in examining dysfunctional and/or psychopathological online behaviors, including, but not limited to, smartphone addiction, online gaming, online gambling, binge-watching behaviors, cybersex, and problematic social media/SNSs use. However, conceptual and methodological issues still remain debated. The general consensus acknowledges a need for careful assessment of the various problematic behaviors associated with the internet—as well as the psychological and psychopathological functioning associated with a maladaptive use of web-related digital activities—to avoid the risk of confusing the quantity of use with the quality of use of internet applications. Accordingly, theoretical and empirical advances are needed to better define online addictive and problematic behaviors, as well as to update knowledge on the potential risks, protective factors, clinical features, and psychosocial mechanisms underlying the development of specific internet-related patterns. Moreover, new trends in prevention programs and psychological treatment addressing problematic online behaviors need to be explored. Therefore, we welcome research findings which will build an integrated framework and an updated understanding of these multifaceted phenomena. We are pleased to invite you to participate in this process!

We welcome the submission of theoretical dissertations, reviews, brief reports, empirical studies, and case studies in clinical psychology.

Prof. Dr. Valentina Boursier
Dr. Francesca Gioia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.