Adolescent Internet Research Articles

\u201cI\u2019ll use it differently now\u201d: using dual-systems theory to explore youth engagement with networked technologies

ObjectivesMany young Canadians experience high levels of networked connectivity, which some suggest may negatively impact their health. Adult monitoring has not been shown to be an effective long-term strategy for supporting young people in healthy engagement with tech. In this study, we explore the benefits of empowering young people to set healthy goals and monitor themselves. We engage with Shapka’s (2019) critique of dual-systems theory, and consider the relationship between the neurological and behavioural systems in relation to adolescent internet use.MethodsUsing a youth participatory action research approach, we co-designed a project with six adolescents to explore the ways that their use of networked technologies was affecting their lives by disconnecting and observing how the lack of networked connectivity changed their experiences. The youth used a media diary to track their use of devices both before and after disconnecting.ResultsThe main benefit of disconnecting appeared to be having the opportunity to reflect on one’s own use of networked devices. This enabled the participants to reconnect in a more intentional way. Findings support Shapka’s speculation that dual-systems theory, with a focus on regulation, may not be the most useful way of supporting adolescents in developing healthy habits around their wired tech.ConclusionAdolescent experiences of networked technologies are complex, yet they are able to navigate this landscape with intelligent strategies. Their self-directed exploration of disconnection helped them to become reflexive practitioners who were able to revisit their use of networked technologies with new insights and self-control.

Relationships of internet gaming reasons to biological indicators and risk of internet gaming addiction in Korean adolescent male game users

BackgroundThere are no standard diagnostic criteria or interventions for internet gaming addiction (IGA) even though IGA is one of the most pervasive public health issues among youth worldwide. Internet gaming reasons or motivations have been studied as a potential predictor of IGA, but the results have been inconsistent and biological indicators of gaming reasons have rarely been studied. We sought to (1) identify categories of internet gaming reasons, (2) examine the relationship of gaming reasons to risk of IGA, and (3) describe biological indicators associated with reasons for gaming.MethodsWe used a multi-phase cross-sectional design including individual interviews; focus group discussion; and descriptive, comparative analysis. Fifteen Korean adolescent male internet gamers participated in individual interviews and eight participated in a focus group aimed at identifying reasons for internet gaming. Using the identified gaming reasons from these sources we surveyed 225 adolescent game users using a self-report questionnaire. Participants provided blood samples for assessment of norepinephrine (NE) and serum cortisol.ResultsWe identified four major categories of internet gaming reasons: entertainment, getting along with friends, stress relief, and habitual gaming. The habitual group showed significantly greater risk of IGA than the other groups (p < .001) and the lowest plasma NE levels (p = .035), possibly indicating an alteration in autonomic function.ConclusionHealth care providers are encouraged to screen adolescents for excessive internet gaming and to intervene with those who report habitual gaming behaviors. When feasible, assessment of biological indicators, such as plasma NE, may help to identify youth at greatest risk of IGA.

Associations of personality and clinical characteristics with excessive Internet and smartphone use in adolescents: A structural equation modeling approach

Adolescent Internet addiction is an important social issue entailing extensive use of Internet and smartphones and its side effects. This study identified relevant psychological factors that affect excessive Internet use (EIU) and excessive smartphone use (ESU) in adolescents using structural equation modeling (SEM). A sample of 714 individuals drawn from lists of middle school students in South Korea completed self-administered questionnaires, including Young’s Internet Addiction Test (Y-IAT), the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), and various clinical and psychological scales measuring depression, anxiety, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), aggression, expression of anger, and the behavioral inhibition system (BIS)/activation system (BAS). The final model, fitted using SEM, showed that both clinical characteristics, including ADHD symptoms, aggression, expression of anger, depression, and anxiety, and personality characteristics, represented by BIS/BAS, played important roles in the severity of EIU or ESU. In particular, affective components such as depression and anxiety were significantly associated with both EIU and ESU, whereas aggression, the expression of anger, and ADHD symptoms affected only EIU. Furthermore, the association between ESU and EIU was significant. Although personality characteristics measured by the BIS and BAS scores did not have direct effects on addiction, they were associated with clinical features and might be risk factors for addiction. The model revealed significant pathways from personality and clinical features to EIU and ESU in adolescents and informed our basic understanding of the meaningful predictors of these addictions and their direct and indirect influences.

학습무동기가 청소년의 자존감과 인터넷 중독 간 관계에 미치는 매개효과

본 연구는 학습무동기가 청소년의 자존감과 인터넷 중독에 미치는 매개효과를 검증하는 것이다. 전라북도 I시 초등학교(5, 6학년)와 중학교(1, 2학년)에 재학 중인 752명을 대상으로 자존감, 인터넷 중독, 학습무동기를 측정하여, 상관분석과 구조방정식모델링 분석을 실시하였다. 자존감, 인터넷 중독, 학습무동기변인들 사이에는 유의한 상관관계가 있었다. 자존감은 학습무동기와 인터넷 중독에 유의한 부적 영향을 미치며, 학습무동기는 인터넷 중독에 유의한 정적 영향을 미쳤다. 학습무동기는 자존감과 인터넷 중독 관계에서 부분매개하고 있음을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 청소년의 인터넷 중독 완화를 위한 지도 시, 낮은 자존감을 가진 대상 중 특히 높은 학습무동기 집단에 대한 집중적인 개입노력이 필요함을 시사한다.

Adolescents’ problematic internet and smartphone use is related to suicide ideation: Does emotional intelligence make a difference?

Problematic Internet and smartphone usage among adolescents has become an alarming social problem. Previous research suggests a detrimental effect of Internet and smartphone problematic use on psychological adjustment. Therefore, it is important to identify protective factors that may ameliorate these deleterious mental health consequences. We examined emotional intelligence as a potential moderator in the association between problematic Internet and smartphone use and suicide ideation in a sample of 2196 (1008 male; 1188 female) Spanish adolescents. Results showed that problematic Internet and smartphone use was significantly associated with suicide ideation. Emotional intelligence scores were negatively associated with both problematic Internet and smartphone use and suicide ideation. Finally, results of moderation analyses indicated that emotional intelligence moderates the negative link between problematic Internet and smartphone use and suicide risk. Specifically, a weaker association between problematic Internet and smartphone usage and suicidal ideation was found among adolescents with higher emotional intelligence. These findings reinforce the notion that emotional intelligence might be a protective factor in adolescents, helping them to reduce the negative symptoms associated to problematic Internet and smartphone use. Implications of these findings for the prevention of psychological maladjustment associated to Internet and smartphone problematic usage in adolescents are discussed.

The Effects of Autogenic Training on Stress Response, Self-control and Internet Addiction of Adolescent Internet Addiction Risk Group

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of using autogenic training as a intervention method for the adolescents Internet addiction risk group. Methods: The study was a pre and post test quasi-experiment between non-equivalent control groups, conducted in four middle schools and two high schools in Seoul. Participants were 46 adolescents in schools (24 in the experimental group and 22 in the control group) belonging to the potential risk group of Internet addiction as a result of the self-diagnosed Internet addiction test. Therapy was for eight sessions (eight weeks) April-October 2016. The data collected were analyzed using the SPSS 24.0 program. Results: The results of the study confirmed that the autogenic training program is an effective intervention method to reduce stress response, improve self-control, and reduce Internet addiction level of the adolescents Internet addiction risk group. Conclusion: The autogenic training program is a voluntary self-initiated exercise that encourages change through physical relaxation. The study presented psychological and physical recovery as well as direction for Internet use. It is expected that the program will be effective as treatment and prevention of Internet addiction at community sites, including schools.

Profiles and sociodemographic correlates of Internet addiction in early adolescents in southern China

Adolescent Internet addiction is currently one of the most common and serious publicly social problems. Understanding Internet addiction in early adolescents has become particularly important for early detection and intervention. This study examines profiles of Internet addiction among Chinese early adolescents and explores both the personal and familial correlates of Internet addiction based on a large random sample. A total of 2059 Chinese seventh-grade students were invited to complete the questionnaire, which included sociodemographic factors, family functions, and Internet addiction. The results reveal that 15.3% of the participating Chinese early adolescents were defined by Young (1998) criteria as expressing Internet addiction, in which boys were more likely to express Internet addiction than girls. Students with poor academic achievements were also more likely to fall into this addiction. Adolescents who did not live with their parents and who experienced more family conflicts and less family communication were more likely to report Internet addiction. These findings suggest that focusing on boys and academic under-performers as well as improving family environments can help early adolescents reduce their propensity to become addicted to the Internet.

Personal Factors, Internet Characteristics, and Environmental Factors Contributing to Adolescent Internet Addiction: A Public Health Perspective.

Individual characteristics, family- and school-related variables, and environmental variables have equal importance in understanding Internet addiction. Most previous studies on Internet addiction have focused on individual factors; those that considered environmental influence typically only examined the proximal environment. Effective prevention and intervention of Internet addiction require a framework that integrates individual- and environmental-level factors. This study examined the relationships between personal factors, family/school factors, perceived Internet characteristics, and environmental variables as they contribute to Internet addiction among adolescents based on the public health model. A representative sample of 1628 junior high school students from 56 regions in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do participated in the study via questionnaires with the cooperation of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the district office of education. The study analyzed psychological factors, family cohesion, attitudes toward academic activities, Internet characteristics, accessibility to PC cafés, and exposure to Internet game advertising. About 6% of the adolescents were categorized as being in the severely addicted group. Between-group comparisons showed that the addicted group had started using the Internet earlier; had higher levels of depression, compulsivity, and aggressiveness as well as lower family cohesion; and reported higher accessibility to PC cafés and exposure to Internet game advertising. Multiple logistic regression indicated that for adolescents, environmental factors had a greater influence than family or school-related factors. Policy implications for prevention and intervention are discussed.

The Mediating Role of Coping Styles on Impulsivity, Behavioral Inhibition/Approach System, and Internet Addiction in Adolescents From a Gender Perspective.

Previous findings have shown that impulsivity and Behavioral Inhibition/Approach System (BIS/BAS) have substantial effects on adolescents’ Internet addiction, but the mechanisms underlying these associations and gender differences in these effects have received little attention. We examined the mediating effects of coping styles from impulsivity, and BIS/BAS to Internet addiction as well as gender differences in these associations. A total of 416 Chinese adolescents were examined using a cross-sectional survey involving Young’s Diagnostic Questionnaire for Internet Addiction, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, BIS/BAS scales, and Coping Style Scale for Middle School Students. The data were analyzed using the independent sample t-test, chi-square test, Pearson correlation, and structure equation modeling. The results from the multiple-group (by adolescent gender) structural model analysis revealed that both impulsivity (p < 0.001) and BIS (p = 0.001) directly predicted positive Internet addiction in girls, while both impulsivity (p = 0.011) and BAS (p = 0.048) directly predicted positive Internet addiction in boys. Furthermore, emotion-focused coping mediated the relationship between impulsivity and Internet addiction (β = 0.080, 95% CI: 0.023–0.168) and the relationship between BIS and Internet addiction (β = 0.064, 95% CI: 0.013–0.153) in girls, while in boys, problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping mediated the association between impulsivity and Internet addiction (β = 0.118, 95% CI: 0.031–0.251; β = 0.065, 95% CI: 0.010–0.160, respectively) and problem-focused coping mediated the association between BAS and Internet addiction [β = −0.058, 95% CI: (−0.142)–(−0.003)]. These findings extend our insight into the mechanisms underlying the associations among impulsivity, BIS/BAS, and Internet addiction in adolescents and suggest that gender-sensitive training approaches to decrease adolescents’ Internet addiction are indispensable. These interventions should focus on the different gender predictors of adolescent Internet addiction and on the development of specific coping styles for boys and girls respectively.

The Relationship Between Adolescents' Stress and Internet Addiction: A Mediated-Moderation Model.

This cross-sectional study explored the impact of stress, social anxiety, and social class on Internet addiction among adolescents. The subjects—1,634 middle school students—were investigated using the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS), the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS-A) Chinese Short Form, the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS), and the Questionnaire of Family Social-economic Status. The results show that 12% of the adolescents investigated showed signs of Internet addiction. With the increase of grade, the tendency of Internet addiction and the number of addicts gradually increased. It also showed that Internet addiction is positively correlated with stress and social anxiety and negatively correlated with social class. Social anxiety partially mediates the impact of stress on Internet addiction and social class indirectly influences Internet addiction by moderating the relationship between stress and social anxiety. In conclusion, there is a mediated-moderation effect between stress and adolescent Internet addiction This means that adolescents from different social classes have different types of anxiety when they feel the stress, which influences their choices concerning internet use.

Analysis of the Problem Internet Use (PIU) Among Adolescents in Kenyan Schools

There has been a rapid growth in internet use in Kenya. Adolescents are the highest users of internet in the country. This puts adolescents at risk of becoming addictive internet users. Adolescent internet use has also been found to have negative consequences which include problematic social relationships, poor academic performance and psychological disturbance. Studies in other countries have associated increased levels of addictive internet use among individuals who are depressed. However, in Kenya, problem internet use and its relationship with depression and academic performance among adolescents has not been established. The current study sought to establish the relationship between problem of internet use and poor academic performance among adolescents in Kenya schools. The study used correlation design to establish the relationship between the variables. The target population was all adolescents in Form 1 - 4 and their class teachers. Random sampling was used to sample students from both public and private secondary schools. A total of 100 respondents participated in the study. Questionnaires were administered to students to gauge their addiction levels and interviews were conducted with their class teachers to gauge the performance levels of their students. Percentages and measures of central tendency were used to describe the data. The findings revealed a prevalence of 16.8% of problem internet use and a prevalence of 23.6% of performance. Independent samples T-test was used to test for differences in problem internet use between male and female students. The findings revealed that female students were likely to be problem internet users compared to male adolescents. Pearson’s product moment correlation was used to establish the relationship between poor academic performance and problem internet use and it was found that a weak positive relationship existed between poor academic performance and problem internet use. The study also identified various measures that could be used to mitigate the problem of problem internet use among adolescents. Based on the findings, it was concluded that there was need to identify and help the affected students exercise moderation and self control when using the internet in order for them to achieve their lifetime goals. The findings of the study also provide empirical evidence on the gender differences in performance and problem internet use which may be useful in improving counseling interventions for adolescent students/pupils. Keywords : poor academic performance, internet user, problem internet use, adolescents. DOI : 10.7176/JIEA/9-6-04 Publication date :October 31 st 2019

Indonesian Adolescents' Online Opportunities and Risks

This research aims to 1) explore the benefits of online (benefits obtained when on the internet) and online risks (risks experienced when on the internet) in adolescents in Jakarta; 2) Test differences in online benefits and online risk based on differences in gender, education level, and school affiliation. This study used a survey method with a multilevel random sampling technique performed on adolescents living in Jakarta aged 12-18 (N = 756). The data analysis technique for this study is descriptive analysis and T-test analysis. The results of the research show that teenagers in Jakarta regularly use the internet every day with relatively high duration. More than 60% of teens benefit online in the medium to the high category, with six types of benefits online: learning, creative participation, social participation, social relations, entertainment, commercial benefits, and personal benefits. Most teens experience online risk in the low category, with three types of risks: content risk, contact risk, and behavioral risk. Other findings, namely: (1) there are significant differences in online risk-based on sex and adolescent education level; (2) significant differences in online benefits are based solely on adolescent education levels. There are no significant differences in online and online risk benefits based on school affiliation (non-religious schools and religion-based schools). This research contributes to the importance of distinguishing online benefits and online risks from adolescent education levels.

Adolescent Internet Gaming Disorder: A Narrative Review

This narrative review is based on a literature search on PsycINFO and PubMed that involved entering the terms adolescent internet gaming for papers published during the last five years. Following exclusion criteria, 72 papers could be classified as internet gaming or internet gaming disorder/addiction studies including research on the prevalence, effects/comorbidities, risk factors and interventions for those problems. The prevalence of both internet gaming and internet gaming disorder has varied by culture. The effects/comorbidities have included hyperactivity, inattentiveness, cyberbullying, depression, anxiety and substance use. The risk factor studies have focused on impulsivity, sensation-seeking, and aggressivity. Altered autonomic and central nervous system function have also been notable including decreased heart rate variability and fMRI data showing less activation of the prefrontal cortex, ventral striatum and amygdala (areas that are involved in modulating impulsivity, reward-seeking and aggression respectively) as well as reduced gray and white matter. Surprisingly, given the prevalence and severity of internet gaming disorder, very little prevention/intervention research appears in this recent literature. Research is also missing on peer relationships/rejection as potential risk factors. Like other literature on adolescent problems, this research is limited by primarily deriving from self–report and parent report and by the absence of longitudinal data that might inform whether the behavioral and brain data being reported are effects of or risk factors for internet gaming addiction.

School-based Prevention for Adolescent Internet Addiction: Prevention is the Key. A Systematic Literature Review.

Adolescents’ media use represents a normative need for information, communication, recreation and functionality, yet problematic Internet use has increased. Given the arguably alarming prevalence rates worldwide and the increasingly problematic use of gaming and social media, the need for an integration of prevention efforts appears to be timely. The aim of this systematic literature review is (i) to identify school-based prevention programmes or protocols for Internet Addiction targeting adolescents within the school context and to examine the programmes’ effectiveness, and (ii) to highlight strengths, limitations, and best practices to inform the design of new initiatives, by capitalizing on these studies’ recommendations. The findings of the reviewed studies to date presented mixed outcomes and are in need of further empirical evidence. The current review identified the following needs to be addressed in future designs to: (i) define the clinical status of Internet Addiction (IA) more precisely, (ii) use more current psychometrically robust assessment tools for the measurement of effectiveness (based on the most recent empirical developments), (iii) reconsider the main outcome of Internet time reduction as it appears to be problematic, (iv) build methodologically sound evidence-based prevention programmes, (v) focus on skill enhancement and the use of protective and harm-reducing factors, and (vi) include IA as one of the risk behaviours in multi-risk behaviour interventions. These appear to be crucial factors in addressing future research designs and the formulation of new prevention initiatives. Validated findings could then inform promising strategies for IA and gaming prevention in public policy and edu-cation.

School disconnectedness and Adolescent Internet Addiction: Mediation by self-esteem and moderation by emotional intelligence

A growing body of research has shown that school disconnectedness (low school bonding) is a salient risk factor for internet addiction (IA) among adolescents. However, the mediating and moderating mechanisms linking school disconnectedness to IA are still not well understood. This study examined whether self-esteem mediates the relationship between school disconnectedness and IA, and whether this mediating process is moderated by emotional intelligence. A total of 2758 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 13.53 years, SD = 1.06) completed a series of anonymous questionnaires on demographic variables, school disconnectedness, self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and IA. After controlling for demographic variables, school disconnectedness was found to be positively associated with IA among adolescents. Mediation analysis indicated that self-esteem partially mediated the relationship between school disconnectedness and IA. Moderated mediation analysis further revealed that emotional intelligence moderated the associations between school disconnectedness and adolescent self-esteem and IA. The negative relationship between school disconnectedness and self-esteem and the positive relationship between school disconnectedness and IA were stronger in adolescents with higher levels of emotional intelligence, showing reverse risk-buffering effects. These findings elucidate the role of contextual factors (such as school disconnectedness) and personal factors (such as self-esteem and emotional intelligence) in adolescent IA, and suggest that comprehensive and holistic intervention programs may be promising for reducing IA among adolescents.

Associations of parental bonding and adolescent internet addiction symptoms with depression and anxiety in parents of adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations of parental bonding and adolescents’ Internet addiction symptoms with depression and anxiety in parents of adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods Parental depression and anxiety symptoms, parental bonding, and adolescents’ Internet addiction symptoms were assessed in 46 parent-child dyads using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), and Chen Internet Addiction Scale, respectively. Forward stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to examine the associations of parental bonding and adolescents’ Internet addiction symptoms with parental depression and anxiety. Results Low care/affection on the PBI was significantly associated with parental depression, and overprotection on the PBI and adolescents’ Internet addiction were significantly associated with parental anxiety. Discussion Parental bonding and adolescents’ Internet addiction are related to depression and anxiety in parents of adolescents with ADHD.

Development of Adolescent Internet Gaming Addiction Scale for Screening based on DSM-5: Pilot study

Development of Adolescent Internet Gaming Addiction Scale for Screening based on DSM-5: Pilot study

Sensation Seeking, Deviant Peer Affiliation, and Internet Gaming Addiction Among Chinese Adolescents: The Moderating Effect of Parental Knowledge.

Although there is abundant evidence that an association between sensation seeking and adolescent Internet gaming addiction (IGA) exists, research has provided little insight into why adolescents with high sensation seeking are more likely to be focused on Internet and video games. Grounded in the social development model and ecological systems theory, this study investigated whether deviant peer affiliation mediated the relationship between sensation seeking and adolescent IGA, and whether this indirect link was moderated by parental knowledge. Participants were 1293 Chinese adolescents (49.65% male, Mage = 12.89 ± 0.52 years) who completed questionnaires assessing sensation seeking, deviant peer affiliation, parental knowledge, and IGA. Structural equation models revealed that the positive association between sensation seeking and adolescent IGA was partially mediated by deviant peer affiliation. In addition, this indirect link was significantly moderated by parental knowledge. Specifically, the indirect path from sensation seeking to adolescent IGA was stronger for adolescents with low parental knowledge than for those with high parental knowledge. Identifying the role of peers and parents in the onset of adolescent IGA has key implications for prevention and intervention.

Time spent on the internet, blood pressure and loneliness in adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Time spent on the internet, blood pressure and loneliness in adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Effect of Internet Use in Adolescents: A Scoping Review

Introduction and Background: Internet has a wide variety of uses in our daily life, like sharing files and information, communication, education, work, entertainment, shopping etc. Internet use has been found to be more in adolescents. Many studies have identified both positive and negative correlates of internet use among adolescents The aim of this scoping review was to find the literature available on the positive and negative effects of internet use in health of adolescents and also to find its effects on the occupational functioning in adolescents.Method: Scoping review was conducted by collecting the studies done on adolescents and internet use from major online databases available in Manipal Academy of Higher Education library. Full text studies related to positive and negative effects of internet in healthy adolescents that were published in English between 2000 and 2017 were included for review. Our literature searches initially gathered 136 studies. 40 full text studies were found to be relevant and were independently screened by three investigators.Result: Out of the 40 studies identified, 12 studies positively and 26 studies negatively discussed about the effect of internet use on adolescents. 2 studies found that internet use had both positive and negative effects on adolescent health. The positive effects on health included improved self-awareness, improved peer interaction etc. and the negative effects included loneliness, decreased energy etc. There were 4 studies that discussed about the effect of internet use on occupational functioning of adolescents.Conclusion: Internet use may have both positive and negative influence on health of adolescents and if it is used in the supervised environment can have beneficial effects on health and occupational functioning among adolescents