Excessive internet use in European adolescents: What determines differences in severity?
Keywords
Adolescents
Excessive internet use
Internet addiction
Publication details
| Year: | 2015 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s00038-014-0635-x |
| Issued: | 2014 |
| Language: | English |
| Volume: | 60 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| Start Page: | 249 |
| End Page: | 256 |
| Editors: | |
| Authors: | Blinka L.; Škařupová K.; Ševčíková A.; Wölfling K.; Müller K.; Dreier M. |
| Type: | Journal article |
| Journal: | International Journal of Public Health |
| Publisher: | Springer Science and Business Media LLC |
| Topics: | Internet usage, practices and engagement; Literacy and skills; Wellbeing; Risks and harms |
| Sample: | The present study analysed data from the international research project EU Kids Online II. The project surveyed approximately 1,000 internet users between the ages of 9 and 16 and their parents (one parent per respondent) in 25 European countries (N = 25,142). However, only children aged 11–16 years were asked about excessive internet use, and thus the final sample included 18,709 participants (9,352 boys and 9,357 girls). |
| Implications For Stakeholders About: | Researchers |
Abstract
Objectives:
This study investigated the differences between non-excessive, moderately excessive, and highly excessive internet use among adolescents. These differences were explored in terms of personal characteristics, psychological difficulties, environmental factors, and manner of internet use.
Methods:
A representative sample was investigated, consisting of 18,709 adolescents aged 11–16 and their parents, from 25 European countries. Excessive internet use was measured using a five item scale covering following factors: salience, conflict, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and relapse and reinstatement. The main data analysis utilised multinomial and binary logistic regression models.
Results:
The vast majority of respondents reported no signs of excessive internet use. Moderately excessive users (4.4 %) reported higher emotional and behavioural difficulties, but also more sophisticated digital skills and a broader range of online activities. The highly excessive users (1.4 %) differed from the non-excessive and moderately excessive users in their preference for online games and in having more difficulties with self-control.
Conclusions:
Adolescents who struggle with attention and self-control and who are inclined toward online gaming may be especially vulnerable to the otherwise uncommon phenomenon of excessive internet use.
Outcome
"The vast majority of respondents reported no signs of excessive internet use. Moderately excessive users (4.4 %) reported higher emotional and behavioural difficulties, but also more sophisticated digital skills and a broader range of online activities. The highly excessive users (1.4 %) differed from the non-excessive and moderately excessive users in their preference for online games and in having more difficulties with self-control." (Blinka, Škařupová, Ševčíková, Wölfling, Müller, & Dreier, 2015, Abstract)