Problematic internet use (age: 15+)

In 2022, 6.8% of the Swiss population used the internet in a problematic way. This figure is significantly higher than in 2017 (3.8%). The proportion doubled in every age group up to 54. There was no clear increase for the older population. Problematic Internet use is much more widespread among the younger generations than among the older ones.

This indicator is part of the Monitoring System Addiction and NCD (MonAM) of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).

Assigned topics

Leading indicators of the Addiction Strategy 2017-2028

Internet, gambling, purchasing

Equal opportunities

Adults (15+)

With the widespread use of the internet and social media, new forms of addiction have developed, such as internet use that is problematic for health.

In terms of the Addiction Strategy, special attention is paid to internet use, because it is important to be able to respond flexibly to new dangers with appropriate preventative and therapeutic measures.

Definition

This indicator was calculated on the basis of data from the Swiss Health Survey (SHS, n₂₀₂₂ ≈ 22 000) and is updated every five years.

It shows the share of persons aged 15 and older, living in private households and with problematic internet use. Participants were first asked the following question: "Do you use the internet in your free time or for private purposes? By internet, we mean going online to surf, check email, chat or play (network) games, on a computer, smartphone, tablet or iPad".

Those who answered 'yes' to this question were then asked to indicate the extent to which the following eight items from the short version of the CIUS (Compulsive Internet Use Scale; Gmel et al. 2019) concerned them, using the ratings never, rarely, sometimes, often and very often:

Show complete definition ▾

Sources

Addiction Monitoring Switzerland: CoRolAR (in German and French)
Federal Statistical Office (FSO): Swiss Health Survey (in German, French, and Italian)

References

Addiction Monitoring in Switzerland (2011–2016): Website (in German and French)
Gmel, G. et al. (2019). Development of a short form of the compulsive internet use scale in Switzerland. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 28(1): Study.
Notari, L. et al. (2022). Glücks- und Geldspielnutzung, Videospiel, Sexualverhalten, Kaufverhalten, soziale Medien und Internet: Suchtverhalten ohne Substanz? Auslegeordnung zu wissenschaftlichen Evidenzen, Terminologie, Messskalen und Prävalenzen. Research Report. Addiction Monitoring in Switzerland, GREA, Lausanne: Report (in German and French).

Further information

Marmet, S. et al. (2015). Suchtmonitoring Schweiz - Themenheft Internetnutzung und problematische Internetnutzung in der Schweiz im Jahr 2015. Addiction Monitoring in Switzerland, Lausanne: Report (in German).

Media enquiries

Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Tel. +41 58 462 95 05
media@bag.admin.ch

Enquiries

Tel. +41 58 463 60 45
obsan@bfs.admin.ch
https://www.obsan.admin.ch/en/contact

Last updated

27/02/2025

MonAM User Survey 2025

What do you think of MonAM? Your opinion counts!

User Survey – 3 minutes

The Federal Office of Public Health FOPH would like to further improve MonAM.

Your feedback will help us a lot!

You can now express your opinion about MonAM via the following link:

Take the survey

It's a 3-minute investment well spent – we promise. Your answers are anonymous and confidential.

Thank you very much for your valuable support!

Your MonAM team, FOPH and Obsan