Understanding Problematic Internet Use in Children and Adolescents
Official title: Problematic Use of the Internet in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Run by Psychiatric University Hospital, Zurich · NCT04723498 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how kids and teens use the internet and whether their online habits, like gaming and social media use, are linked to mental health issues like ADHD and anxiety.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 8 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Psychiatric University Hospital, Zurich Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Zurich, Canton of Zurich) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 1, 2020 |
| Main results expected | March 1, 2026 |
| Study ends | March 1, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | May 13, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT04723498 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are male and female patients aged 8 to 18 years who exhibit problematic internet use.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are unable to understand the explanations and the questionnaire due to linguistic or cognitive limitations may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study focuses on the problematic use of the internet among children and adolescents, exploring behaviors such as uncontrolled gaming, cyber pornography, and excessive social media use. It aims to document the interplay between these behaviors and various psychiatric disturbances, including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, and affective disturbances. Participants will be screened using a questionnaire to assess their internet usage patterns and related psychological issues. The study seeks to fill the gap in existing literature regarding the clinical implications of pathological internet use in young populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to better understanding and treatment strategies for children and adolescents struggling with internet-related issues.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited documentation on this specific topic, the exploration of internet use and its psychological impacts is an emerging field, suggesting that this study may provide novel insights.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * male and female patients ages from 8 - 18 years * All study participants or their legal representative have given written permission for their experiences to be documented in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to understand explanations and the questionnaire, whether linguistic or cognitative
Where it's running
-
Psychiatric University Clinics, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Susanne Walitza, Prof. Dr. med. Dipl.-Psych. — Sponsor GmbH
- Study coordinator: Susanne Walitza, Prof. Dr. med. Dipl.-Psych.
- Email: susanne.walitza@puk.zh.ch
- Phone: +41 43 499 26 26
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.