Online Addictions Expert Group of the Pompidou Group: Results and Recommendations

The Pompidou Group was commissioned by the Ministerial Conference to address the challenges of online addictions as part of its 2023-25 work programme. In implementing the current Pompidou Group Work Programme, an Expert Group on online addictions was set up. The Expert Group is comprised of professionals nominated from 14 Pompidou Group Member States and the WHO. The countries involved are Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Israel, Norway, North Macedonia, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Switzerland, and two consultants are also invited. 

The objectives for the Group are (i) to provide a better understanding of addictions facilitated by technologies and online practices, (ii) to explore available online interventions and tools in self-help and treatment, (iii) to present examples of prevention and risk reduction practices for a digital world, and (iv) to elaborate responses to reduce risks and prevent addictions. The focus of the work is on online gambling and gaming. Online gaming and gambling contain programming and design elements that are also widely used in other internet applications. Therefore, working on these specific issues, which are of particular concern to member States, can constitute a valuable basis to address other internet addictions as well.

The Expert Group has been successful in reaching the following results so far. 

1. Expert report on analysis of risks and harms associated with online gaming and gambling and overview of current responses. The report is structured as follows: overview of the prevalence, context, affected groups, differences between online gaming and gambling, risks and harms related to online gambling and gaming; examples of current responses, practices and evidence; controversies and future directions; and perspectives for action.

2. Guidance document/policy paper with strategy options for decision-makers and policy managers for 2024. Once the draft guidance document is presented to Permanent Correspondents of the Pompidou Group, they can decide to give prominence to this important topic by forwarding it to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe with the objective of adopting a recommendation.

The results of the work of the Expert Group will be presented, and the most important conclusions and recommendations (concerning, for instance, regulatory policies, public awareness campaigns, self-exclusion programs, counselling, and treatment services) will be highlighted.

The experiences from Switzerland (Federal Council report, regulation, activities within the framework of the national addiction strategy) are presented as a national example of implementation.