Which Are the Optimal Screening Tools for Internet Use Disorder
in Children and Adolescents? A Systematic Review of Psychometric
Evidence

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The early detection of problematic Internet use (PIU) is essential to prevent the development of Internet
use disorders (IUD). Although a variety of screening tools have already been developed and validated for this purpose, yet
a consensus about optimal IUD assessment is still lacking. In this systematic review, we (i) describe the identifed instruments for children and adolescents, (ii) critically examine their psychometric properties, and (iii) derive recommendations
for particularly well-validated instruments.

Recent Findings

We conducted a systematic literature search in fve databases on January 15, 2024. Of the initial 11,408 references
identifed, 511 studies were subjected to a full-text analysis resulting in a fnal inclusion of 70 studies. These studies validated a total
of 31 instruments for PIU and IUD, including the Diagnostic Interview for Internet Addiction (DIA), a semi-structured interview. In
terms of validation frequency, the Internet Addition Test (IAT) had the largest evidence base, followed by the Compulsive Internet
Use Scale (CIUS). Only two of the measures examined were based on the current DSM-5 criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder.

Summary

Although no screening instrument was found to be clearly superior, the strongest recommendation can be made for
CIUS, and Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale (GPIUS2). Overall, the quality of the included studies can only be rated
as moderate. The IUD research feld would beneft from clear cut-of scores and a clinical validation of (screening) instruments.