Purpose of Review Problematic online buying-shopping became a recent research topic, and the question arises as to whether it would be useful to diferentiate between a “predominantly online” and a “predominantly ofine” compulsive buying shopping disorder (CBSD) subtype by analogy with gaming disorder and gambling disorder in the ICD-11. This narrative review aims at refecting the discussions on overlaps of problematic online buying-shopping with both ofine CBSD and specifc internet-use disorders.
Recent Findings Preliminary data suggest that problematic online buying-shopping shares many commonalities with both ofine CBSD and potential specifc internet-use disorders (e.g., gaming disorder, pornography-use disorder, or social network–use disorder). However, there is a lack of research addressing the etiology, underlying afective and cognitive mechanisms, psychosocial correlates, comorbidity profles, and treatment of problematic online buying-shopping.
Summary The question of whether online CBSD can develop independently from ofine CBSD or only as medial trans formation of ofine CBSD still remains unanswered due to limited research on problematic online buying-shopping. Both perspectives are conceivable: that online CBSD represents a standalone specifc internet-use disorder or the online subtype of CBSD. Future studies should examine which approach has clinical utility and indicates specifc treatment options and better outcomes.