Although WHO doesn’t specifically use the term “digital dementia” in its reports, it has shown significant concern about the health risks of excessive digital technology use.
According to WHO, the excessive use of digital devices has become a significant public health concern in an increasing number of countries.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines dementia as a syndrome in which cognitive function deteriorates beyond what might be expected from the usual consequences of biological ageing. This chronic condition affects many older adults. It causes impaired ability to identify objects, comprehend or use language, and do previously learned motor activities.
Since 2014, the World Health Organisation has been conducting activities related to the public health implications of excessive use of the Internet, computers, smartphones, and similar digital devices in response to concerns expressed by professional groups, academics, experts, and clinicians.
- In 2014, in Tokyo, Japan, the World Health Organisation held its first meeting in collaboration with Kurihama Medical and Addiction Centre to discuss the available evidence on the epidemiology, nature, phenomenology, outcomes, and public health implications of health conditions associated with excessive use of the Internet, smartphones, and similar electronic/digital devices.
- The second meeting held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, in 2015 in collaboration with the Korean Association of Addiction Psychiatry and Catholic Kwan Dong University addressed the spectrum, taxonomy and clinical descriptions of behavioural disorders associated with excessive use of the Internet and other communication and gaming platforms within the conceptual framework of disorders due to addictive behaviours and the context of the 11th revision of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
- In September 2016, collaborating with the Department of Health of Hong Kong SAR, China, which was the third meeting, discussions focused on health promotion, prevention, and treatment policies and programmes aimed at reducing the public health problems associated with excessive use of the Internet, computers, smartphones and other communication and gaming platforms.
- In Istanbul, Turkey, the fourth WHO meeting, hosted by the Turkish Green Crescent Society, was held in November 2017 and focused on the conceptual and clinical validity of gaming and gambling disorders.
Resources
What To Read:
- Global Response To Digital Dementia & Resources
Although WHO doesn’t specifically use the term “digital dementia” in its reports, it has shown significant concern about the health risks of excessive digital technology use. According to WHO, the excessive use of digital devices has become a significant public health concern in an increasing number of countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines dementia… - Digital Dementia: 5 Helpful Tips To CopeDigital dementia is a concept first introduced by German neuroscientist and psychiatrist Manfred Spitzer in 2012. It describes the cognitive changes that can occur due to excessive reliance on digital technology, such as smartphones and devices, computers, and tablets. We present five practical tips to help you better manage your technology use, ensuring a more balanced and mindful relationship with the digital world.
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