Investigating the Relationship Between Internet Use and Symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Young Adults Aged 19 to 24 Years: A Systematic Review Study

Background & Aim: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition diagnosed in childhood that can persist into adulthood.Given the widespread use of the Internet, especially among young adults who are its primary users, evidence suggests that frequent and excessive Internet use may impact individuals' mental health.Therefore, this systematic review aimed to determine the association between Internet use and ADHD symptoms in adults. Materials & Methods:This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines.Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, SID, and Magiran were searched for studies published between 2016 and September 2024 using a combination of Persian and English keywords: "Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder", "Young Adults", "Internet", and "ADHD", along with their synonyms.The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), and only studies of moderate to high quality were included.Results: A total of 10 studies were included in this review.The findings indicated that excessive Internet use can increase ADHD symptoms, and individuals with severe ADHD are more likely to develop Internet addiction.These results suggest a bidirectional relationship between excessive Internet use and ADHD symptoms. Conclusion:The findings indicate that excessive or unregulated Internet use may be associated with increased ADHD severity, particularly in areas such as concentration, impulsivity, and time management.We recommend that future studies explore the impact of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and time management apps, on ADHD symptoms-whether they contribute to improvement or exacerbate the condition.