Social network games (SNGs) addiction: Psychological dimensions and impacts on life quality and society

Abstract

An integral part of socio-technological evolution, social network games (SNGs) are played on various social networking platforms by multiple players who often do not know each other. This phenomenon has intensified globally along with smartphone penetration. SNGs, though sharing characteristics with traditional video games, have distinct functionalities and affect players’ socio-psychological behavior. Despite their growing and multidimensional significance – consequent to their novelty and incessant development and penetration – the personal and wider social effects of SNGs have been visibly inadequately researched. Aiming to fill this knowledge gap, the present study investigates the psychological and social impacts of SNGs on users, as well as the moderating role of age and gender therein. Methodologically, hypotheses and a conceptual model are first developed based on extant contextual, behavioral, and addiction-specific theories. They are subsequently validated through a survey-based PLS-SEM technique. The study ultimately identifies and elucidates the role of explicit dimensions leading to SNG addiction and highlights its impact at the micro (personal) and macro (society) levels.