Online Social Networking and Addiction—A Review of the Psychological Literature

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) are virtual communities where users can create individual public profiles, interact with real-life friends, and meet other people based on shared interests. They are seen as a ‘global consumer phenomenon’ with an exponential rise in usage within the last few years. Anecdotal case study evidence suggests that ‘addiction’ to social networks on the Internet may be a potential mental health problem for some users. However, the contemporary scientific literature addressing the addictive qualities of social networks on the Internet is scarce. Therefore, this literature review is intended to provide empirical and conceptual insight into the emerging phenomenon of addiction to SNSs by: (1) outlining SNS usage patterns, (2) examining motivations for SNS usage, (3) examining personalities of SNS users, (4) examining negative consequences of SNS usage, (5) exploring potential SNS addiction, and (6) exploring SNS addiction specificity and comorbidity. The findings indicate that SNSs are predominantly used for social purposes, mostly related to the maintenance of established offline networks. Moreover, extraverts appear to use social networking sites for social enhancement, whereas introverts use it for social compensation, each of which appears to be related to greater usage, as does low conscientiousness and high narcissism. Negative correlates of SNS usage include the decrease in real life social community participation and academic achievement, as well as relationship problems, each of which may be indicative of potential addiction

Psychometric properties of the smartphone addiction proneness scale in a sample of Malaysian adolescents

The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the 15-item smartphone addiction proneness scale (SAPS) among a sample of Malaysian adolescents. The gathered data were subjected to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. There were 922 secondary school students involved in this study. The exploratory factor analysis extracted a three-factor solution for SAPS. These factors were named disturbance of adaptive functions, withdrawal and tolerance. Results from confirmatory factor analysis also indicated that the three-factor structure fits well with the data. The internal consistency of the scale was found to be good. The positive and moderately strong correlation between SAPS and three widely adopted criterion variables (depression, loneliness and boredom proneness) supported the concurrent validity of SAPS. The results of this study showed that the SAPS is a reliable and valid instrument for identifying problematic smartphone use among Malaysian adolescents

Leisure Boredom dan Religiusitas: Pengaruhnya terhadap Kecenderungan Adiksi Internet

The internet is an unavoidable necessity. There are positive and negative impacts of internet. One of the negative impacts is addiction. Reasons for someone become addicted to the internet including leisure boredom and religiosity. This study aims to determine whether leisure boredom and religiosity have an influence on the internet addiction in students of UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung. The research method used a quantitative causality design which is analyzed using multiple regression. The study was conducted on 265 students recruited using the accidental sampling method. The measurement uses three scales, the Leisure Boredom Scale, The Centrality of Religiosity Scale, then the Internet Addiction Test. The results showed that leisure boredom and religiosity had significant influence on internet addiction. Influence given is 5.3%. This finding indicates that leisure boredom and religiosity affect someone to become internet addicted by 5.3%, Meanwhile, 94.7% of other factors that influence addiction to the internet may still need further research

Problematic Internet Use: a concern for student wellbeing and academic performance

Problematic Internet Use (PIU) has been linked to student loneliness, wellbeing and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). Thus, there is a need to investigate the use of the internet and the impact of that use in universities. Reliance on self-assessment to identify PIU has generated concern in previous research, the need for measures that include assessment of actual behavior has been highlighted. This research used a method which is innovative in psychology, to gather and analyse objective data on internet activity in a university over an academic year. Student self-assessment data on PIU subtypes (general PIU, problematic smartphone use, problematic social media use, problematic internet gaming, and problematic pornography use), wellbeing, loneliness and FOMO were also gathered. The data were used to understand actual internet behavior, student assessment of that behavior and relationships with wellbeing, loneliness and FOMO. The first and third study examined the Wifi digital traces of approximately 13,000 users at a university for an academic year. Principal component analysis identified patterns in the users’ engagement with the internet. Machine learning identified clusters of users with the same pattern of activity and enabled prediction of education activity. In the second study, the self-assessment data from 834 university students explained how users of the university WiFi assessed their internet usage behavior, wellbeing, loneliness and FOMO. A partial correlation network and variance partitioning clarified relationships between PIU subtypes, wellbeing, loneliness and FOMO. The I-PACE model (Brand et al., 2019) was used to illuminate the findings in a model of behavioral addiction. This research contributes to understanding PIU in students and links to loneliness, wellbeing and FOMO with: (i) objective measures of actual behavior; (ii) identification of patterns of internet behavior; (iii) prediction of activity on the internet using objective data; and (iv) use of partial correlation networks, variance partitioning and the I-PACE model to clarify the relationships between PIU subtypes and wellbeing, loneliness and FOMO

How ICTs can influence psychological wellbeing: an analysis of uses and addiction potential

Les Tecnologies de la Informació i les Comunicacions (TIC) com Internet i els telèfons intel·ligents van entrar a la nostra vida fa només uns 20 anys, però, en aquest curt període de temps, han reconvertit profundament el funcionament de la societat i dels individus de tot el món. Això ha portat a preguntes i investigacions sobre com l’ús freqüent de la tecnologia influeix en la nostra salut social i psicològica. Aquest treball de tesi vol aportar informació sobre aquest tema a través de quatre estudis sobre tres de les TIC més populars - telèfons intel·ligents, xarxes socials en línia i Internet- i mitjançant la lent de tres preguntes d’investigació - 1) La addicció és el marc adequat per utilitzar a l’hora de investigar. ús problemàtic de les TIC?; 2) Quins són els efectes de la cultura en un ús problemàtic de les TIC?; i 3. Quins usos concrets s’associen a problemes relacionats amb les TIC? Les conclusions a què arribem són les següents. En aquest moment, l’addicció no és un terme adequat per utilitzar-se en la investigació sobre problemes relacionats amb les TIC. En segon lloc, certs usos específics s’associen a conseqüències problemàtiques de l’ús de les TIC, mentre que altres usos no ho són, per tant no és prudent patologitzar totes les TIC. En tercer lloc, els usos associats a un ús problemàtic són diferents segons la cultura de l’usuari. En una cultura, un ús particular de les TIC pot ser problemàtic, mentre que en un altre país pot ser adaptatiu. En quart lloc, alguns aspectes de l’ús de les TIC semblen ser més o menys constants en cultures com ara els usos més populars dels telèfons intel·ligents i els factors subjacents de l’ús problemàtic de les TIC.Las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación (TIC) como Internet y los teléfonos inteligentes entraron en nuestras vidas hace solo 20 años, pero en este corto periodo de tiempo han rediseñado profundamente la forma en que funcionan la sociedad y las personas en todo el mundo. Esto ha llevado a preguntas y investigaciones sobre cómo el uso frecuente de las tecnologías influye en nuestra salud social y psicológica. El objetivo de este trabajo de tesis es aportar información sobre este tema a través de cuatro estudios sobre tres de las TIC más populares: teléfonos inteligentes, redes sociales en línea y Internet y a través de la lente de tres preguntas de investigación: 1) ¿Es la adicción el marco correcto para usar en las investigaciones del uso problemático de las TIC?; 2) ¿Cuáles son los efectos de la cultura en el uso problemático de las TIC?; y 3) ¿Qué usos específicos están asociados con los problemas relacionados con las TIC? Las conclusiones a las que llegamos son las siguientes. En este momento, la adicción no es un término adecuado para usar en la investigación sobre problemas relacionados con las TIC. En segundo lugar, ciertos usos específicos están asociados con consecuencias problemáticas del uso de las TIC, mientras que otros usos no lo son, por lo tanto, no es prudente patologizar la totalidad de las TIC. En tercer lugar, los usos asociados con el uso problemático de las TIC son diferentes según la cultura del usuario. En una cultura, un uso particular de las TIC puede ser problemático, mientras que en otro país puede ser adaptativo. En cuarto lugar, ciertos aspectos del uso de las TIC parecen ser más o menos constantes en todas las culturas, como los usos más populares de los smartphones y los factores subyacentes del uso problemático de las TIC.Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) such as the Internet and smartphones entered our lives only about 20 years ago, yet in that short time they have deeply rewired the way society and individuals all around the world function. This has led to questions and investigations regarding how the frequent use of technology influences our societal and psychological health. This thesis work aims to contribute some insight on this subject through four research papers about three of the most popular ICTs - smartphones, social media and the Internet and through the lens of three research questions - 1) Is addiction the correct framework to use when researching problematic ICT use?; 2) What are the effects of culture on problematic ICT use?; and 3) What specific uses are associated with ICT-related problems? The conclusions we arrive at are the following. At this time, addiction is not a suitable term to use in the research on ICT related problems. Secondly, certain specific uses are associated with problematic consequences of ICT use whereas other uses are not, therefore it is unwise to pathologize the entire ICT. Thirdly, the uses that are associated with problematic ICT use are different depending on the culture of the user. In one culture a particular ICT use can be problematic, whereas in another country it may be adaptive. Fourthly, certain aspects of ICT use appear to be more or less constant across cultures such as the most popular smartphone uses and the underlying factors of problematic ICT use

Psychometric properties of the smartphone addiction proneness scale in a sample of Malaysian adolescents

The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the 15-item smartphone addiction proneness scale (SAPS) among a sample of Malaysian adolescents. The gathered data were subjected to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. There were 922 secondary school students involved in this study. The exploratory factor analysis extracted a three-factor solution for SAPS. These factors were named disturbance of adaptive functions, withdrawal and tolerance. Results from confirmatory factor analysis also indicated that the three-factor structure fits well with the data. The internal consistency of the scale was found to be good. The positive and moderately strong correlation between SAPS and three widely adopted criterion variables (depression, loneliness and boredom proneness) supported the concurrent validity of SAPS. The results of this study showed that the SAPS is a reliable and valid instrument for identifying problematic smartphone use among Malaysian adolescents

Internet and Smartphone Use-Related Addiction Health Problems: Treatment, Education and Research

This Special Issue presents some of the main emerging research on technological topics of health and education approaches to Internet use-related problems, before and during the beginning of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The objective is to provide an overview to facilitate a comprehensive and practical approach to these new trends to promote research, interventions, education, and prevention. It contains 40 papers, four reviews and thirty-five empirical papers and an editorial introducing everything in a rapid review format. Overall, the empirical ones are of a relational type, associating specific behavioral addictive problems with individual factors, and a few with contextual factors, generally in adult populations. Many have adapted scales to measure these problems, and a few cover experiments and mixed methods studies. The reviews tend to be about the concepts and measures of these problems, intervention options, and prevention. In summary, it seems that these are a global culture trend impacting health and educational domains. Internet use-related addiction problems have emerged in almost all societies, and strategies to cope with them are under development to offer solutions to these contemporary challenges, especially during the pandemic situation that has highlighted the global health problems that we have, and how to holistically tackle them

Antecedents and consequences of problematic smartphone use: A systematic literature review of an emerging research area

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Motivations for social media use in adolescents and their association with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Aims: This study sought to explore associations between adolescents’ motivations for social media use and common mental health symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: British secondary school students aged 11-17 (N = 162) completed an online questionnaire covering demographics, social media use including motivations for use, and symptoms of depression, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety. Multiple linear regression was used to explore associations between individual use motive and mental health symptoms scores in social media users (N = 142). In addition, latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to categorise users into homogenous profiles based on their pattern of use motives, and multinomial logistic regression used to explore associations between extracted profiles and symptoms scores. Results: Motivation to use social media for entertainment predicted higher symptom scores across all three mental health categories: depression (β = 1.41, 95% CI [0.75, 2.06], p < .001), GAD (β = 0.96, 95% CI [0.46, 1.45], p < .001) and social anxiety (β = 1.69, 95% CI [0.98, 2.41], p < .001). In addition, motivation to follow/monitor others on social media was associated with higher symptoms of social anxiety (β = 0.90, 95% CI [0.29, 1.50], p = .004). Finally, the LPA identified four distinct social media motivation profiles, which were labelled high-motivation-dating, high-motivation-social, low motivation and intermediate motivation. Greater levels of social anxiety predicted membership to both high motivation profiles compared to the low motivation profile: high-motivation-dating (RRR = 1.19, 95% CI [1.05, 1.35], p = .006) and high-motivation-social (RRR = 1.17, 95% CI [1.06, 1.29], p = .002). Conclusions: The findings suggest that elevated social media use for the purpose of entertainment may be a trans-diagnostic / general feature of common mental health difficulties in adolescence. Furthermore, social anxiety may be a driver and/or consequence of motivation to use social media for entertainment and to fulfil interpersonal motives (e.g. following others). These findings have potential implications for the development of interventions aimed to modify adolescents’ relationship with social media, and/or the identification of individuals who may be at higher risk of developing mental health difficulties. However, future longitudinal research is needed to identify the underlying direction of causality

Pengaruh Leisure Boredom Dan Kontrol Diri Terhadap Kecenderungan Kecanduan Internet Pada Mahasiswa

This study aims to prove empirically the effect of leisure boredom and self-control on the tendency of internet addiction among students. The population in this study were active students of the Faculty of Psychology, University of Muhammadiyah Surakarta who accessed the internet for more than 6 hours outside of their academic interests by using electronic devices such as cellphones, laptops, and so on. The sampling technique used was Purposive Sampling. The sample in this study were 180 students with 146 female students and 34 male students. This study uses three scales, namely the leisure boredom scale, the self-control scale, and the internet addiction scale. Data analysis using multiple linear regression analysis test. The results of data analysis showed that the correlation coefficient score (r) = 0.606 and Sig. 0.000 <0.05, meaning that there is a very significant influence between leisure boredom and self-control on internet addiction in students. This proves that the major hypothesis of this study is accepted. To test the major hypothesis 1 between leisure boredom and internet addiction, the correlation coefficient (r) = 0.361 and Sig. (1-tailed) of 0.000 <0.05, which means that there is a very significant positive effect between leisure boredom and internet addiction in students. The results of the minor hypothesis test 2 between self-control and internet addiction obtained coefficient (r) = -0.606 and Sig. (1-tailed) of 0.000 <0.05, which means that there is a very significant negative effect between self-control and internet addiction in students