The impact of Internet-based specific activities on the perceptions of Internet addiction, quality of life, and excessive usage: A cross-sectional study
Open accessAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Recent research has examined the context in which preference for specific online activities arises, leading researchers to suggest that excessive Internet users are engaged in specific activities rather than 'generalized' Internet use. The present study aimed to partially replicate and expand these findings by addressing four research questions regarding (i) participants' preferred online activities, (i) possible expected changes in online behavior in light of hypothetical scenarios, (iii) perceived quality of life when access to Internet was not possible, and (iv) how participants with self-diagnosed Internet addiction relate to intensity and frequency of Internet use. METHODS: = 30 years, SD = 10.84) were recruited online via several English-speaking online forums. RESULTS: Most participants indicated that their preferred activities were (i) accessing general information and news, (ii) social networking, and (iii) using e-mail and/or online chatting. Participants also reported that there would be a significant decrease of their Internet use if access to their preferred activities was restricted. The study also found that 51% of the total sample perceived themselves as being addicted to the Internet, while 14.1% reported that without the Internet their life would be improved. CONCLUSIONS: The context in which the Internet is used appears to determine the intensity and the lengths that individuals will go to use this tool. The implications of these findings are further discussed.
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One of the most prevalent behaviors online is social networking.
“This same reasoning has been used to distinguish between an Internet addiction and addictions to specific activities carried out on the network, with one of the most prevalent behaviors online being social networking (Jeong et al., 2016; Muñoz-Miralles et al., 2013; Pontes, Szabo, & Griffiths, 2015; Salehan & Negahban, 2013).”
From Is smartphone addiction really an addiction? (2018) · cites this paper as Pontes, Szabo, & Griffiths, 2015
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References 44 · Cited by 208
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- Authors
- Pontes, H. M., Szabo, A., & Griffiths, M. D.
- Affiliations
- Nottingham Trent University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Pontes, Halley M.
- Venue
- Addictive Behaviors Reports
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2015-06
- Volume
- 1
- Pages
- 19-25
- ISSN
- 2352-8532 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC5845921
- OpenAlex
- W2092680852
- Cited by
- 208
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 63 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 2
- FWCI
- 44.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Addictive Behaviors Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- BIROn (Birkbeck, University of London) (acceptedVersion)
- Nottingham Trent University's Institutional Repository (Nottingham Trent Repository) (acceptedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- ELTE Digital Institutional Repository (EDIT) (Eötvös Loránd University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
- Keywords
- internet addiction, quality of life, excessive internet use, social networking, online chat, email use, information seeking
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