Problems with internet and video game addiction are increasing among Catalan teenagers.
The 2021 survey on drug use in secondary education in Spain (ESTUDES) for Catalonia reveals a widespread increase in behavioral addictions among young people aged 14 to 18 after the lockdown.
The data analyzed by the Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT) in the Monogràfic Report of Behavioral Additions estimates that in 2021:
- Increased prevalence of having a possible video game use disorder : from 13% to 15% in boys and from 2.6% to 3% in girls.
- Increase in the prevalence of compulsive internet use (social networks, instant messaging, series and movies): from 21% to 22% in boys and from 27% to 32% in girls.
- Decrease in the prevalence of gambling addiction : from 8% to 5% in boys. In the case of girls, it remains at 2%.
The decrease in the prevalence of gambling is related to less gambling in 2021 due to reduced participation in sporting events and, consequently, sports betting, as well as the closure of gambling establishments during the lockdown. The data are considered high, however, given that the individuals involved are minors, and therefore the prevalence should be close to zero.
Warning signs of video game addiction
Students primarily gamble with money on video games (53.1%) and sports betting (42.5%). 9.1% gambled online at some point in the past year, of whom 42.8% did so monthly or more frequently. Regarding in-person gambling, 14.3% reported having gambled in the past year, particularly among boys.
The report also includes data related to substance use in this age group. The substances most commonly used by secondary school students are, in order, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, hypnotics/sedatives, and, much further behind, cocaine and ecstasy. Regarding drug use in the year prior to the survey, it is observed that, in 2021, the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis showed a significant reduction compared to 2018, based on lifetime, past year, and past month use data.
New guide for teachers to prevent screen overuse
Coinciding with the presentation of this report, ASPCAT has presented a new prevention guide on digital environments for professionals working with adolescents aged 12 to 18, in both formal and non-formal education settings.
The guide includes various guidelines that can help when setting usage limits, reaching consensus on behavior in common areas, addressing potential conflicts arising from misuse, and how to manage them. The document illustrates different situations with practical examples that can help understand various scenarios and places special emphasis on preventative interventions regarding screen use.
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