6 October, 2025. At the 25th World Congress of Psychiatry, organized by the World Psychiatric Association, we attended an insightful symposium titled “Problematic Usage of the Internet: A Comprehensive Response.” The session brought together leading international experts to address one of the fastest-growing global mental health concerns.
Problematic use of the internet (PUI) has increasingly drawn attention from clinicians and researchers worldwide. It is now recognized as a major public mental health issue, prevalent across regions and associated with significant harms, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, adolescents, and individuals with psychiatric conditions.
The symposium was chaired by Dr. Hamed Ekhtiari and Dr. Sophia D. Davis, with contributions from Dr. Hamed Ekhtiari, Prof. Marc Potenza, and Dr. Sophia Achab. Together, they explored international and transcultural perspectives on how best to understand and respond to the psychiatric challenges linked to PUI.
By participating in this dialogue, BootStRaP reinforces its commitment to advancing evidence-based strategies for mental health in an increasingly digital world.
BootStRaP communication team information
