Rise of netholicism: A comprehensive review of internet addiction among today’s youth

The rise of internet addiction among today’s youth, termed “netholicism,” has become a pressing concern in the digital era. The pervasive nature of internet usage among youth, driven by factors such as individual vulnerabilities, societal norms, and addictive online activities, contributes to the de...

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Main Authors: Yogesh Kumar, Om P. Dhakar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jehp.jehp_394_24
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author Yogesh Kumar
Om P. Dhakar
author_facet Yogesh Kumar
Om P. Dhakar
author_sort Yogesh Kumar
collection DOAJ
description The rise of internet addiction among today’s youth, termed “netholicism,” has become a pressing concern in the digital era. The pervasive nature of internet usage among youth, driven by factors such as individual vulnerabilities, societal norms, and addictive online activities, contributes to the development of problematic internet use. Excessive internet use has profound psychological effects, including depression, anxiety, and social isolation, while also leading to physical consequences such as sedentary lifestyles and sleep disturbances. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted aspects of internet addiction, from its psychological and physical impacts to its social and spiritual ramifications. This article uses a literature review methodology to analyze research on the pervasive nature of internet usage, termed “netholicism,” among youth. It synthesizes and evaluates prior findings to understand the factors contributing to netholicism and young individuals’ involvement in internet usage following the ramifications of netholicism are reflective psychological, physical, sociological, and spiritual effects in every domain on youth. The study analyzed 50 articles from reputable online databases, focusing on internet usage. Out of the 50 articles, 16 were cited, meeting inclusion criteria, including publication within 2019–2024, rigorous peerreview, and reputable database indexing. As per the findings of the research, it has been observed that netholicism (or internet addiction) represents a complex and multifaceted phenomenon with the underlying factors contributing to internet addiction and its psychological, physical, social, and spiritual impacts. Socially, internet addiction hinders real-life connections and emotional intelligence, while ethically and spiritually, it raises concerns about identity and moral relativism in the digital realm. Interventions and treatment approaches encompass psychoeducation, therapy, and digital literacy promotion. Looking ahead, the proliferation of internet addiction poses challenges exacerbated by technological advancements, requiring collaborative efforts to mitigate its adverse effects and promote a healthier relationship with technology among future generations.
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spelling doaj-art-48cb90cc28e847adb74a49eb5d20b9422025-02-06T09:49:50ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Education and Health Promotion2277-95312319-64402025-01-01141323210.4103/jehp.jehp_394_24Rise of netholicism: A comprehensive review of internet addiction among today’s youthYogesh KumarOm P. DhakarThe rise of internet addiction among today’s youth, termed “netholicism,” has become a pressing concern in the digital era. The pervasive nature of internet usage among youth, driven by factors such as individual vulnerabilities, societal norms, and addictive online activities, contributes to the development of problematic internet use. Excessive internet use has profound psychological effects, including depression, anxiety, and social isolation, while also leading to physical consequences such as sedentary lifestyles and sleep disturbances. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted aspects of internet addiction, from its psychological and physical impacts to its social and spiritual ramifications. This article uses a literature review methodology to analyze research on the pervasive nature of internet usage, termed “netholicism,” among youth. It synthesizes and evaluates prior findings to understand the factors contributing to netholicism and young individuals’ involvement in internet usage following the ramifications of netholicism are reflective psychological, physical, sociological, and spiritual effects in every domain on youth. The study analyzed 50 articles from reputable online databases, focusing on internet usage. Out of the 50 articles, 16 were cited, meeting inclusion criteria, including publication within 2019–2024, rigorous peerreview, and reputable database indexing. As per the findings of the research, it has been observed that netholicism (or internet addiction) represents a complex and multifaceted phenomenon with the underlying factors contributing to internet addiction and its psychological, physical, social, and spiritual impacts. Socially, internet addiction hinders real-life connections and emotional intelligence, while ethically and spiritually, it raises concerns about identity and moral relativism in the digital realm. Interventions and treatment approaches encompass psychoeducation, therapy, and digital literacy promotion. Looking ahead, the proliferation of internet addiction poses challenges exacerbated by technological advancements, requiring collaborative efforts to mitigate its adverse effects and promote a healthier relationship with technology among future generations.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jehp.jehp_394_24compulsive internetinternet addictionnetholicismpathological internet
spellingShingle Yogesh Kumar
Om P. Dhakar
Rise of netholicism: A comprehensive review of internet addiction among today’s youth
Journal of Education and Health Promotion
compulsive internet
internet addiction
netholicism
pathological internet
title Rise of netholicism: A comprehensive review of internet addiction among today’s youth
title_full Rise of netholicism: A comprehensive review of internet addiction among today’s youth
title_fullStr Rise of netholicism: A comprehensive review of internet addiction among today’s youth
title_full_unstemmed Rise of netholicism: A comprehensive review of internet addiction among today’s youth
title_short Rise of netholicism: A comprehensive review of internet addiction among today’s youth
title_sort rise of netholicism a comprehensive review of internet addiction among today s youth
topic compulsive internet
internet addiction
netholicism
pathological internet
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jehp.jehp_394_24
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