Why are children attracted to the Internet? The role of need satisfaction perceived online and perceived in daily real life

From the perspective of self-determination theory, this study investigated the motivations for children’s Internet use by examining how basic psychological need satisfaction, perceived online and perceived in daily real life, affects children’s Internet use outcomes. A total of 637 elementary school students from China took participated in this study. The results from structural equation modeling showed that need satisfaction perceived online predicted higher levels of Internet use and more positive affect experienced online, whereas need satisfaction perceived in daily real life predicted less time spent online, less negative affect, and more positive affect. Both inherent properties of the experiences provided by the Internet and children’s social backgrounds contribute to Internet use outcomes. This study supports self-determination theory in explaining children’s Internet use motivations. Implications for efforts to encourage appropriate Internet use and directions for future research are discussed.     

Identifying commonalities and differences in personality characteristics of Internet and social media addiction profiles: traits,self-esteem,and self-construal

Excessive use of the Internet and social media has been associated with behavioural addiction, which sparked the researchers’ interest in gaining a better understanding of this global phenomenon. The aim of this study was to fill a gap in knowledge by using just one sample to identify similarities and differences in relationships between technology addictions and personality characteristics, especially traits, self-esteem, and self-construal. The sample consisted of 512 undergraduate students. The results showed that Internet addiction and social media addiction shared many more similarities than differences. Agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness to experiences, emotional stability, self-esteem, the frequency of checking account, and Internet usage were predictors of both Internet addiction and social media addiction. Age, satisfaction with life, and interdependent self-construal did not predict Internet addiction or social media addiction, whereas real self and extraversion predicted Internet addiction only, and gender, posting updates, a number of friends, and independent self-construal predicted social media addiction only. These results provide some basis for an understanding of Internet and social media addiction profiles.     

Problematic Internet use and psychosocial well-being: development of a theory-based cognitive–behavioral measurement instrument

The paper presents results from an exploratory study that: (1) developed a theory-based measure of PIU and (2) administered the instrument to a sample of undergraduate students to assess the associations among PIU and several psychosocial variables including, depression, self-esteem, loneliness, and shyness. A new instrument, the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale (GPIUS) was designed to operationalize Davis's [Computers in Human Behavior, 17 (2001), 187] theoretical construct of generalized PIU. The GPIUS and several measures of psychosocial well-being were administered to 386 undergraduate students. Results from this preliminary study indicate that the GPIUS is both reliable and valid. A factor analysis identified seven unique sub-dimensions of the GPIUS, including: mood alteration, perceived social benefits available online, negative outcomes associated with Internet use, compulsive Internet use, excessive amounts of time spent online, withdrawal symptoms when away from the Internet, and perceived social control available online. All GPIUS subscales were correlated with psychosocial health variables including: depression, loneliness, shyness, and self-esteem. A regression analysis identified several important psychosocial and cognitive–behavioral predictors of negative outcomes associated with generalized PIU. Results also suggest that one's preference for computer-mediated social interaction, as opposed to face-to-face interaction, plays a role in the etiology, development, and outcomes of generalized PIU.     

The effects of personality traits,self-esteem,loneliness, and narcissism on Facebook use among university students

This study examined the relationship between three of the “Big Five” traits (neuroticism, extraversion, and openness), self-esteem, loneliness and narcissism, and Facebook use. Participants were 393 first year undergraduate psychology students from a medium-sized Australian university who completed an online questionnaire. Negative binomial regression models showed that students with higher openness levels reported spending more time on Facebook and having more friends on Facebook. Interestingly, students with higher levels of loneliness reported having more Facebook friends. Extraversion, neuroticism, self-esteem and narcissism did not have significant associations with Facebook use. It was concluded that students who are high in openness use Facebook to connect with others in order to discuss a wide range of interests, whereas students who are high in loneliness use the site to compensate for their lack of offline relationships.     

Stressful life events and adolescent Internet addiction: The mediating role of psychological needs satisfaction and the moderating role of coping style

Although stressful life events have been shown to play an important role in adolescent Internet addiction, little is known about mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relation. Based on the integration of self-determination theory and stress-coping theory, the present study investigated (a) the mediating role of psychological needs satisfaction in the relationship between stressful life events and Internet addiction, and (b) the moderating role of coping style in the indirect and direct relationships between stressful life events and Internet addiction. This model was tested with 998 Chinese adolescents (mean age = 15.15 years, SD = 1.57). Participants filled out questionnaires regarding stressful life events, psychological needs satisfaction, coping style, and Internet addiction. After demographic variables were controlled, stressful life events were significantly positively associated with Internet addiction. Mediation analysis revealed that psychological needs satisfaction partially mediated the association between stressful life events and Internet addiction. Moderated mediation analysis further indicated that the mediated path was weaker for adolescents with higher levels of positive coping style. These findings underscore the importance of identifying the mechanisms that moderate the mediated paths between stressful life events and adolescent Internet addiction.     

Depression,loneliness and Internet addiction: How important is low self-control?

This study aimed to explore both the direct and indirect relationships between depression, loneliness, low self-control, and Internet addiction in a sample of Turkish youth, based on a cognitive-behavioral model of generalized problematic Internet use. Data for the present study were collected from 648 undergraduate students with a mean age of 22.46 years (SD = 2.45). Participants completed scales for depression, loneliness, self-control and Internet addiction. Structural equation modeling was used to test the model in which depression and loneliness predicted Internet addiction through low self-control. The findings revealed that of the two factors, only loneliness was related to Internet addiction through low self-control. The results are discussed in terms of the cognitive-behavioral model of generalized problematic Internet use, and implications for practice are considered.     

Meeting online contacts in real life among adolescents: The predictive role of psychosocial wellbeing and internet-specific parenting

Meeting online contacts in real life (IRL) has been associated with several risks, particularly for adolescents. This study aims to gain more insight into the prevalence of adolescents’ real life meetings with online contacts and the prevalence of telling parents about these real life meetings. In addition, the predictive role of adolescents’ psychosocial wellbeing and parents’ internet-specific parenting on meeting online contacts IRL was examined, and the predictive role of internet-specific parenting on parental knowledge about these meetings. Longitudinal data were collected among 1796 adolescents who participated in two measurements of the Dutch Monitor Internet and Youth. The results show that about 17% of the adolescents had real life encounters with online contacts and that about 30% of the parents of these youngsters was not aware about it. Low self-esteem increased the probability of future meetings with online contacts, whereas feelings of loneliness reduced this chance. Moreover, parental rules about the content of internet use and parental reactions to excessive internet use, may help to prevent future meetings with online contacts in real life. Parents’ awareness about these encounters was only cross-sectionally positively related to frequency and high quality of parent–child communication about internet.     

Loneliness,social contacts and Internet addiction: A cross-lagged panel study

This study aims to examine the causal priority in the observed empirical relationships between Internet addiction and other psychological problems. A cross-lagged panel survey of 361 college students in Hong Kong was conducted. Results show that excessive and unhealthy Internet use would increase feelings of loneliness over time. Although depression had a moderate and positive bivariate relationship with Internet addiction at each time point, such a relationship was not significant in the cross-lagged analyses. This study also found that online social contacts with friends and family were not an effective alternative for offline social interactions in reducing feelings of loneliness. Furthermore, while an increase in face-to-face contacts could help to reduce symptoms of Internet addiction, this effect may be neutralized by the increase in online social contacts as a result of excessive Internet use. Taken as a whole, findings from the study show a worrisome vicious cycle between loneliness and Internet addiction.     

Psychosocial causes and consequences of pathological gaming

Pathological use of computer and video games has been associated with indicators of psychosocial well-being, such as loneliness, low self-esteem, low social competence, and low life satisfaction. However, few studies have decisively demonstrated whether these indicators of psychosocial well-being are causes or consequences of pathological gaming. To address this gap in the literature, we conducted a two-wave panel study among 851 Dutch adolescents (543 gamers). Causal relations were analyzed using autoregressive structural equation models. These analyses indicated that social competence, self-esteem, and loneliness were significant predictors of pathological gaming six months later. Thus, lower psychosocial well-being can be considered an antecedent of pathological gaming among adolescent gamers. Our analyses further indicated that loneliness was also a consequence of pathological gaming. This suggests that displacement of real-world social interaction resulting from pathological use of video games may deteriorate existing relationships, which could explain the increase in adolescent gamers’ feelings of loneliness.     

To Facebook or to Face Book? An investigation of how academic performance of different personalities is affected through the intervention of Facebook usage

This paper investigates how students’ personality types influence their academic performance and how Facebook usage intervenes these associations. A survey questionnaire method was adopted to collect data from students in five public universities in Malaysia. An analysis of 1165 questionnaires shows that all five dimensions of personality from big five model predict academic performance. In addition, shyness also predicted academic performance positively while a negative relationship was found between loneliness and students’ academic performance. The mediating role of Facebook usage was established only in the relationships of academic performance with extraversion, agreeableness and loneliness. A discussion of these findings, limitations of the study and future research directions are provided.     

Problematic Internet use,loneliness and dating anxiety among young adult university students

The Internet, an important modern means of obtaining information and establishing communication with others, has become an increasingly essential element of human life. Although Internet use makes life easier, it can become problematic in the event of non-functional use. Debate and research into whether Internet addiction is a cause or an effect are continuing. This study investigates problematic Internet use among young adult university students and examines correlation between problematic Internet use and loneliness and dating anxiety. University student Internet use patterns are also investigated. The study was conducted among 493 students from the Karadeniz Technical University Fatih Faculty of Education. The Online Cognition Scale, Dating Anxiety Scale, Loneliness Scale and Personal Information Questionnaire were employed in the collection of data. Pearson correlation analysis, the t-test, one-way analysis of variance and chi-square test were used for data analysis. The Pearson correlation analysis results reveal a significant positive correlation between problematic Internet use and loneliness (r = 0.194, p < 0.001), communication anxiety (r = 0.15, p < 0.001), unpopularity anxiety (r = 0.174, p < 0.001) and physiological symptoms (r = 0.125, p < 0.001) dating anxiety sub-scales. One-way analysis of variance was used to examine whether problematic Internet use varies according to length of Internet use, and a significantly high level of problematic Internet use was observed among those going online for more than 5 h a day compared to other users (F = 14.327, p < 0.001). Chi-square results reveal a significant association between length of Internet use and how students feel when they do not go online (chi-square = 116.543, p < 0.001). The t-test was used to determine whether there was a significant difference in levels of Internet use according to gender, and levels of problematic Internet use were significantly higher among male students than females (t = 4.046, p < 0.001).     

Life satisfaction and family functions as-predictors of problematic Internet use in university students

One goal of this research was to analyze problematic Internet use in university students according to such variables as gender, grade point average, satisfaction with one’s department, mother’s/father’s education level, smoking, alcohol consumption, gambling behavior, relationship between parents, length of Internet use, amount of time spent on the Internet daily, and using the Internet for academic purposes. Another goal was to analyze family functioning and life satisfaction as predictors of problematic Internet use in university students. The study sample comprised 663 university students from Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir. The Problematic Internet Use Scale, Family Evaluation Scale, Life Satisfaction Scale, and a questionnaire requesting demographic information were administered. The results revealed that the family functioning dimensions of problem solving, roles, and behavioral control, as well as gender, age, gambling behavior, perception of the relationship between one’s parents, number of years of Internet use, amount of time spent on the Internet daily, and using the Internet for academic purposes explained 48% of the total variance in Internet use. There was also a significant relationship between university students’ life satisfaction and total Internet use, rate of Internet overuse, and the social benefits and negative consequences of Internet use.     

Time on the Internet at home,loneliness, and life satisfaction: Evidence from panel time-diary data

This study uses data collected from adult U.S. residents in 2004 and 2005 to examine whether loneliness and life satisfaction are associated with time spent at home on various Internet activities. Cross-sectional models reveal that time spent browsing the web is positively related to loneliness and negatively related to life satisfaction. Some of the relationships revealed by cross-sectional models persist even when considering the same individuals over time in fixed-effects models that account for time-invariant, individual-level characteristics. Our results vary according to how the time use data were collected, indicating that survey design can have important consequences for research in this area.     

Relationships between identity formation and computer use among black and white emerging adult females

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between computer use, identity formation, and self-esteem among Black and White emerging adult females. One hundred 56 female college students participated in this study by completing a survey that included the Internet/Computer Use Questionnaire, the Ego Identity Process Questionnaire, and the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale. Racial differences were found between Black and White females with regard to perceived problematic use of the Internet and use of the computer for communication and use of the Internet for schoolwork. In addition, differences between Black and White females were found between identity formation and problematic use of the Internet and between self-esteem and type of use of the Internet. These findings were discussed in relation to future research and interventions.     

Online recreation: The relationship between loneliness,Internet self-efficacy and the use of the Internet for entertainment purposes

In this study, 150 undergraduates answered questions about their Internet usage and completed a loneliness and an Internet self-efficacy questionnaire. A factor analysis of the Internet usage items revealed three facets of online recreation, including, using the Internet for: computer-based entertainment, to facilitate offline entertainment, and for information about the entertainment world. Those who scored higher on loneliness were more likely to use the Internet for computer-based entertainment, as well as, use the Internet to obtain information about the entertainment world. Individuals higher in Internet self-efficacy were more likely to use the Internet for computer-based entertainment and to facilitate offline entertainment. Implications for the study of the psychological influences of the Internet are discussed in this paper.     

Associations between child maltreatment,PTSD, and internet addiction among Taiwanese students

This study examines (1) the associations between multiple types of child maltreatment and Internet addiction, and (2) the mediating effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on these associations. We collected data from a national proportionately stratified random sample of 6233 fourth-grade students in Taiwan in 2014. We conducted bivariate correlations and sets of multiple regression analyses to examine the associations between multiple types of maltreatment (5 types in total) and Internet addiction, and to identify the mediating role of PTSD. The results reveal that being male and experiencing abuse (psychological neglect, physical neglect, paternal physical violence, sexual violence) were associated with increased risk among children of developing PTSD and Internet addiction. Moreover, PTSD mediated the associations between multiple types of maltreatment (except maternal physical violence) and Internet addiction. This study demonstrates (1) the effects of multiple types of maltreatment on the PTSD and Internet addiction of children and (2) the importance of early prevention and intervention in addressing related public-health concerns.     

Internet use, videogame playing and cell phone use as predictors of children’s body mass index (BMI), body weight, academic performance, and social and overall self-esteem

In this research we examined the prediction of children’s body mass index (BMI), body weight, academic performance, social self-esteem and overall self-esteem from their IT (information technology) use, specifically, their Internet use, cell phone use and videogame playing, after controlling for the effects of gender, race, age and household income on these measures. Participants were 482 children whose average age was 12 years old. One-third was African American and two-thirds were Caucasian American. Results indicated that IT use did not predict BMI or body weight, contrary to one previous survey and the widespread belief that screen time is responsible for the obesity epidemic among our nation’s children. Instead, BMI and body weight were higher for African Americans, older children and children from lower income households. The sole and strong positive predictor of visual-spatial skills was videogame playing, which also predicted lower grade point averages (GPAs). Gender and Internet use predicted standardized test scores in reading skills. Females and children who used the Internet more had better reading skills than did males and children who used the Internet less, respectively. Implications of these findings for future research on the benefits and liabilities of IT use are discussed.     

Actual friends matter: An internet skills perspective on teens' informal academic collaboration on Facebook

Social media platforms such as Facebook enable adolescents to collaborate on academic activities, but this kind of participation may require a set of higher-order Internet skills. This study explores the factors that predict informal academic collaboration on Facebook, such as seeking help, discussing schoolwork, and finding class-related resources. Based on survey data collected from high school students (N = 690), we found that academic performance, perceived support from ‘actual’ Facebook friends, higher order Internet skills (especially information seeking skills), and instrumental support from Facebook friends predicted academic collaboration on Facebook. In light of these findings, theoretical and practical implications are discussed.     

Tool,Toy, Telephone,Territory, or Treasure of Information: Elementary school students’ attitudes toward the Internet

The purposes of this study are to investigate fifth-graders’ attitudes toward the Internet based on the 5-T framework (Tool, Toy, Telephone, Territory, and Treasure of Information), and to understand whether gender makes any difference in their attitudes. The data were obtained from 2,253 Taiwan fifth-grade students. Through a confirmatory factor analysis, the 5-T model was validated and can be used to explain the corresponding five-factors which constitute Internet attitudes. According to the results, the students perceived the Internet mainly as a useful and powerful tool for their academic work and daily lives. Moreover, students strongly considered the Internet a toy, which is somewhat indistinguishable from the role of Tool. The students acknowledged the role of the Territory that they can demonstrate themselves by writing and sharing personal information online. Therefore, the Internet is good for both reading and writing information. The least weighted factor among 5-Ts student recognized is the role of Telephone. Gender differences exist in the subscales of Tool, Toy, Treasure of Information, and Telephone, but not in the Territory subscale of the Internet attitudes scale. This study further discusses and presents implications of the findings for teachers, parents, and future studies.     

Interacting is believing? Examining bottom‐Up credibility of blogs among politically interested Internet users

This study examines how politically interested Internet users perceive blogs as a credible source of news and information. More specifically, this study aims to identify a new possible factor that has a moderating impact on blog credibility assessment in the collaborative nature of digital media circumstances. This study found that blog credibility was predicted by the interaction between blog reliance and online news activity, indicating that those who more actively interact with news and with other users judge blogs as more credible than those who do less so. Implications of the findings were discussed for future research.