Are you familiar with the DÉBA-Internet tool?

If you work as a counselor with teenagers or young adults, you are probably encountering youth at risk of problematic Internet use (PIU). Did you know that there is now a tool that allows you to screen for possible PIU?

It is essential that you, the professionals in the field, have access to validated tools to screen people for problematic Internet use and identify their service needs.

UPI screening and assessment tools

In recent years, several tools have been developed around the world to better screen for and assess the consequences of problematic Internet and screen use. Some have been designed specifically for video games; others for Internet use in general. You may already be familiar with the Internet addiction test, the Addictive Intensity Evaluation Questionnaire, the Game Addiction Scale, or the assessment interviews based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for online gaming disorder.

In response to the growing demand for services in clinical and school settings, a Quebec team of researchers specialized in addiction developed the Assessment and Screening of Assistance Needs – Problematic Internet Use (DÉBA-Internet) tool. Launched in January 2020, this tool is part of the broad family of DÉBA tools that you may be familiar with as they have been validated and used for several years in Quebec.

You may already be using the grids to screen for problems related to alcohol and drugs or gambling. The full set of DÉBA screening tools was recently updated and underwent a validation study. Version 5.0 of the DÉBA tools (psychoactive substances, gambling, and Internet use) is available on the RISQ website.
The update to DÉBA v.5.0 resulted in a cross-addiction screening tool, meaning that the questions used to establish a clinical profile of severity (consequences, dependence, and motives) are the same across the Psychoactive Substances, Gambling, and Internet versions.

DÉBA-Internet: Who is it for? Why is it useful?

The tool is intended for counselors and professionals in all settings, both public and community, who work with young people aged 12 and over or with adults who are likely to experience negative effects associated with their Internet and screen use.

The DÉBA-Internet assesses the person’s situation over the past 12 months. It aims to provide an overview of their Internet/screen use (activities, frequency, duration, and importance placed on use) and to determine whether they are experiencing difficulties related to their Internet/screen use (consequences, dependence, and reasons for use). If needed, it can also help refer the person to the appropriate level of service.
The assessment is conducted by a professional in person, online, or by phone. The DÉBA-Internet is not a diagnostic tool. The questionnaire consists of two pages:

• The first page provides an overview of the person’s Internet/screen use, including the types of activities, their frequency and duration, and the typical number of hours spent per week. It also encourages the person to begin reflecting on the importance that Internet/screen use has had in their life each month over the past year.
• The second page uses three scales (consequences, dependence, and motives) to assess the severity of the clinical profile. The total score indicates the associated level of service needed and the appropriate referral: green (prevention), yellow (early intervention), or red (specialized services).

The pros and cons of DÉBA-Internet

Advantages

• The DÉBA-Internet v.5.0 underwent a validation study in Quebec.
• The assessment is brief, although the time required varies depending on the person’s Internet/screen use profile.
• It provides an overview of the person’s Internet/screen use habits, as well as areas that can be addressed with them.
• A final score facilitates interpretation and referral to the appropriate level of service.
• It can be used to develop an intervention plan if the person requires early intervention services.

Disadvantage

• It does not provide a comprehensive picture of Internet and screen use for individuals who may require specialized services.

Training is required

The DÉBA-Internet is available free of charge online on the RISQ website (www.risqtoxico.ca). It is available in both French and English. Although the tool is in the public domain, training is strongly recommended before using it. If you are interested in training, we invite you to contact the regional addiction services representative within Santé Québec in your region.

By the PAUSE team, in collaboration with Sylvie R. Gagnon, a member of the PAUSE Expert Committee, and reviewed by Nadine Blanchette-Martin and Marlène Harvey in September 2026.