DIGITAL TIES AND TANGLES: THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN INTERNET ADDICTION, MENTAL WELL-BEING, AND ACADEMIC OUTCOMES IN THE MODERN AGE

Abstract

This conceptual analysis investigates the interrelation between internet addiction, specifically through online gaming and social media, mental health, and academic performance. As digital platforms have permeated 21st-century lifestyles, a rise in internet addiction resembling traditional substance abuse has become increasingly visible, bringing with it implications for mental well-being and scholastic outcomes. This research presents a foundational framework that originally portrays mental health and internet addiction as individual influencers of academic achievement. However, deeper examination posits mental health as both an intervening (mediating) and moderating factor, elucidating the sequence and varying strength of these relationships. Grounded in a rich literary backdrop, the article emphasizes the direct influence of mental health on academic endeavors and the potential effects resulting from its interactions with internet addiction. The theoretical backbone of the study leans into cognitive-behavioral and resilience perspectives, deciphering the placement of mental health within the research paradigm. The study concludes with the imperative to understand and address the complexities of internet addiction and mental health in the context of academic performance. It underscores the pressing need for recognizing and managing emerging digital addictive behaviors and the consequential impact on mental health and academics. The continuous integration of technology in our lives demands a nuanced comprehension to ensure students' holistic well-being in the digital age.