Citation

Blinka L, Škařupová K, Ševčíková A, Wölfling K, Müller KW, Dreier M. Int. J. Public Health 2014; 60(2): 249-256.

Affiliation

Faculty of Social Studies, Institute for Research on Children, Youth and Family, Masaryk University, Joštova 10, 602 00, Brno, Czech Republic, blinka@fss.muni.cz.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00038-014-0635-x

PMID

25532555

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.

Language: en