Internet use and cyberbullying: Impacts on psychosocial and psychosomatic wellbeing among Chinese adolescents

Abstract

The use of the internet for entertainment has increased hugely over the last decade among Chinese adolescents, but the psychosocial impacts remain unclear. The aims of this study are to explore the associations between internet use, cyberbullying and psychosocial wellbeing among Chinese adolescents. Questionnaires were completed in the classroom setting by 3378 middle school students aged 11–16 years old (M = 13.58, SD = 0.87) in three provinces representing eastern, central and western China. Key findings included: 1) Internet use of over 3 h per day was associated with higher prevalence of anxiety [OR = 1.6, 95% CI (1.1, 2.2), p = 0.006], depression [OR = 2.1, 95% CI (1.7, 2.6), p < 0.001] and psychosomatic health problems, such as abdominal pain [OR = 2.4, 95% CI (1.8, 3.3), p < 0.001]. 2) Boys were much more likely to play online games. 3) Moderate time of gaming was overall beneficial to well-being. 4) Cyberbullying was common, with 37.5% admitting involvement. 5) Bully-victims were most vulnerable to mental and psychosomatic health problems, and only-bullies were the least vulnerable group. Our findings suggest moderate internet use for entertainment is not detrimental to mental health, but excessive use is. Schools should promote adolescents’ responsible use of the internet and incorporate anti-cyberbullying programs into the curriculum.