Peer Influence in Internet and Digital Game Addicted Adolescents: Is Internet / Digital Game Addiction Contagious?

Abstract

Background: Internet and digital game addictions can be seen mostly amongst adolescents, although it is possible to see individuals at all ages suffering from these problems. According to international literature, the prevalence of Internet and digital game addictions amongst adolescents increased in several countries. Objectives: This study tried to seek answers to the following research questions: does peer influence have a role in the development of Internet and digital game addictions, do peers form a group involving addicted members or non-addicted members and lastly, are Internet and digital game addictions “contagious or infectious” amongst best friends? Patients and Methods: The study was carried out on 184 students from a high school located in the Eastern part of Turkey. A personal information form, digital game addiction questionnaire and Internet addiction scale were all used as data collection tools. Relationships amongst adolescents were determined by a social network analysis (SNA). Results: It was found that Internet / digital game addicted individuals formed close friend groups and interacted with other Internet/digital game addicted individuals and that the non-addicted individuals formed groups with other non-addicts. Conclusions: Consequently the SNA in this study revealed that peer influence is an important factor in explaining the causes of the spread of Internet and digital game addictions.