• Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is effective in treating Internet addiction and improving emotion regulation in adolescents.
• 30 adolescents were assigned into a metacognitive therapy and a control groups.
• The MCT significantly improved Internet addiction and cognitive emotion regulation.
• The study highlights early intervention in addressing Internet addiction and promising avenues for future research.

The prevalence of Internet addiction has been rapidly increasing among adolescents in recent years. It is a multifaceted issue that affects various aspects of their lives, including their cognitive-emotional regulation. One promising approach to addressing this issue is group metacognitive therapy, which is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on enhancing metacognitive skills, such as awareness of thoughts and beliefs, and their impact on behavior. The therapy aims to improve individuals' ability to regulate their emotions and behaviors by providing them with cognitive and behavioral strategies to monitor and control their thoughts and feelings. It is delivered in a group setting, which allows participants to learn from each other's experiences and offer support to one another. The effectiveness of group metacognitive therapy in addressing Internet addiction and improving cognitive-emotional regulation among adolescents has been supported by research. The findings highlight the importance of providing adolescents with effective interventions to help them manage their Internet use and regulate their emotions and behaviors.