PROBLEMATIC USE OF INTERNET

Abstract

Within COST project for Problematic Use of Internet (PUI) the Working group that will actively collaborate with people with first-hand experience of PUI was created in April 2019.The aim of this group was to give voice and actively collaborate with people with first-hand experience of PUI, as well as specifically promote “Citizens Involvement”. Citizens Involvement in Science is doing research “with” or “by” members of the public rather than “to”, “about” or “for” them (INVOLVE 2012).Material and methods: Multi-national pilot consultation exercise with young people, parents, health care professionals and professionals from CSO was done in 4 countries: Greece, Malta, Republic of North Macedonia and Spain. Ten separate consultations with young people aged 10-18 (Malta), 21-23 (North Macedonia), 17-27 (North Macedonia), parents (mothers) (Spain and Greece), teachers in (Malta and North Macedonia), health and social care professionals from public treatment service and CSO including: psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, lawyers (North Macedonia) were done. Focus groups, questionnaires and interviews were used as a method for collecting information from the target groups. Results: from a citizens consultation shows that citizens are consern about harm, dependence, isolation, buling, comorbidity and other dangers coming from the internet, also mentioning some of the advantages of the internet. Youngsters report that they prefer face to face consultations radar that questionnaires. Conclusion: need for education, research, regulations, rulebooks, involvement of a public reference group, networking young people, parents and professionals from different country, addresing internet risks and siberbuling is needed.