Exploring Internet gaming disorder: an updated perspective of empirical evidence (from 2016 to 2021)

Since the acceptance of Internet gaming disorder (IGD) as a “disorder due to addictive behaviors”, research has proliferated exponentially. The present review focuses on the conceptualization of IGD, its diagnosis and assessment, associated factors and existing prevention and treatment plans to address it. The discrepancies between the diagnostic criteria for IGD proposed by the two central diagnostic entities, as well as the questioning of their clinical validity, have generated multiple proposals for the diagnosis and psychometric evaluation of IGD. Likewise, there have been numerous suggestions to prevent this pathology, with the involvement of governments, the gaming industry and health institutions. Finally, multiple treatment plans have been proposed, both pharmacological and psychological, although only the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy has been tested. It is essential, therefore, to delve deeper into this disorder by addressing the central limitations of the current literature. •The existence of multiple IGD assessment instruments hinders scientific progress.•Impulsivity, personality traits and neurobiological factors are linked with IGD.•Attempts to treat IGD have been increasing worldwide, and especially in East Asia.