Abstract

This article emerges in response to the ongoing debate on addiction to video games and online pornography in adolescence. It addresses aspects related to the risk and resource factors associated with these activities and the specifics of diagnosis, with particular attention to gender differences, diagnostic tools, and intervention strategies. The authors analyze how video games and pornography can support adolescents in identity exploration and emotional management, while also highlighting the risks associated with excessive or dysfunctional use, often influenced by family and social context. Various scholars underscore the importance of a multidimensional assessment that considers not only the time spent online but also the underlying motivations and relational dynamics. The article emphasizes the need for more comprehensive interpretative models and an accurate diagnosis to distinguish between normal and pathological use. In conclusion, it proposes integrated interventions, sexual education, and family monitoring as essential tools to promote healthy usage and prevent dependencies, thereby supporting adolescents’ psychological and social development.