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Cited by 117Impact of Technology on AdolescentsSexuality, Behavior, and TechnologyTechnology Adoption and User Behaviour

Till logout do us part? Comparison of factors predicting excessive social network sites use and addiction between Singaporean adolescents and adults

Open access
Ho, Shirley S., Lwin, May O., Lee, Edmund W.J.·2017·Computers in Human Behavior
DOI 10.1016/j.chb.2017.06.002
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Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This study uses an extended theory of planned behavior to compare antecedents of excessive social network site use and addiction among nationally representative Singaporean adolescents and adults. It finds adolescents report higher SNS addiction than adults, with neuroticism and self-identity consistently predicting both outcomes across groups, while extraversion, need to belong, and self-esteem matter mainly for adults.

Key findings

  • Adolescents showed higher SNS addiction than adults (M = 2.49, SD = 0.73 vs. M = 1.82, SD = 0.74; t(5918) = 26.4, p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in excessive use.
  • Neuroticism and self-identity were positively associated with both excessive use and addiction in both samples: self-identity β = 0.19* adolescent excessive use, 0.24* adult excessive use, 0.25* adolescent addiction, 0.36* adult addiction; neuroticism β = 0.18* adolescent excessive use, 0.19* adult excessive use, 0.13* adolescent addiction, 0.21* adult addiction.
  • Extraversion, need to belong, and self-esteem were significantly associated with outcomes only among adults: extraversion excessive use β = 0.06*, addiction β = 0.08*; need to belong excessive use β = 0.07*, addiction β = 0.15*; self-esteem excessive use β = −0.14*, addiction β = −0.13*.
  • PBC was negatively associated with addiction in both samples (adolescent β = −0.06*; adult β = −0.06*); attitude and subjective norms were positively associated with addiction among adolescents (β = 0.07* and 0.11*) but not adults. Total variance explained: excessive use 18.5% adolescents and 30.0% adults; addiction 21.4% adolescents and 37.9% adults.

Methods

  • Two separate nationally representative surveys in Singapore: adolescents aged 13–18 (secondary and junior college students; total N = 4,920; 50.6% female; age range 13–21, M = 14.41, SD = 2.72) and adults aged 19–50 (N = 1,000; 52% female). Recruitment used multi-stage cluster sampling for secondary schools, simple random sampling for junior colleges, and stratified random door-to-door household sampling for adults.
  • Measures were adapted from prior scales for TPB variables (attitude, subjective norms, PBC), neuroticism, extraversion, need to belong, self-identity, self-esteem, SNS excessive use, and SNS addiction. Analysis used hierarchical OLS regression and independent sample t-tests in SPSS20; adolescent significance threshold was p < 0.001, while adult thresholds were p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.001.

Limitations

  • Stated: the cross-sectional design prevents determining causality; the study focused mostly on individual-level factors and not external factors such as family environment; future research should account for personal and external influences and model how relationships change over time.
  • Evident: participation response rates were low for schools (16.7%) and junior colleges (11.1%), though adult response was 43%, which may limit representativeness; all measures were self-reported. The adolescent sample’s age range of 13–21 also conflicts with the stated adolescent age range of 13–18.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.chb.2017.06.002

Cites

109 of 109 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

0 of 124 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Adolescents and adults did not differ significantly in excessive SNSs use.

    “while adolescents and adults do not differ significantly in terms of excessive use”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The personality block accounted for 3.60% of the variance in excessive SNSs use among adolescents and 3.40% among adults.

    “The personality block accounted for 3.60% of the variance in excessive use in the adolescent sample and 3.40% of the variance in excessive use in the adult sample.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The three theory-of-planned-behaviour variables together accounted for 1.90% of the variance in excessive SNSs use among adolescents and 1.30% among adults.

    “The three TPB variables accounted for 1.90% of the variance in excessive use in the adolescent sample and 1.30% of the variance in excessive use in the adult sample.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Adolescents (M = 2.49, SD = 0.73) showed a higher level of SNSs addiction than adults (M = 1.82, SD = 0.74), t(5918) = 26.4, p < 0.001.

    “adolescents (M = 2.49, SD = 0.73) showed a higher level of SNSs addiction than adults (M = 1.82,SD = 0.74) (t(5918) = 26.4,p < 0.001).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Need to belong had no significant association with excessive SNSs use in the adolescent sample.

    “but had no significant association in the case of adolescents, thus H6a was partially supported.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
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  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1
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    Findingown data

    The total variance explained in excessive SNSs use was 18.50% for adolescents and 30.0% for adults.

    “The total variance explained in excessive use was 18.50% for adolescents and 30.0%for adults.”
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    Findingown data

    The theory-of-planned-behaviour variables accounted for 1.50% of the variance in SNSs addiction among adolescents and 0.50% among adults.

    “The TPB variables accounted for 1.50% of the variance in SNSs addiction in the adolescent sample and 0.50% of the variance in SNSs addiction in the adult sample.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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    Findingown data

    The self-identity and self-esteem block explained 9.20% of the variance in excessive SNSs use among adolescents and 13.70% among adults.

    “Selfidentity and self-esteem explained 9.20% of the variance in excessive use in the adolescent sample, and 13.70% of the variance in the adult sample.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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    Findingown data

    The total variance explained for SNSs addiction was 21.40% for adolescents and 37.90% for adults.

    “The total variance explained for SNSs addiction was 21.40% for adolescents and 37.90% for adults.”
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    Findingown data

    The self-identity and self-esteem block explained 11.3% of the variance in SNSs addiction among adolescents and 24.20% among adults.

    “The self-identity and self-esteem block explained 11.3% and 24.20% of the variances in SNSs addiction in the adolescent and adult sample, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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    Findingown data

    The need to belong block accounted for 0% of the variance in SNSs addiction among adolescents and 1.80% among adults.

    “As for the need to belong block, it accounted for 0% and 1.80% of the variances in SNSs addiction in the adolescent and adult samples respectively.”
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    Findingown data

    The need to belong block accounted for 0.30% of the variance in excessive SNSs use among adolescents and 0.50% among adults.

    “The need to belong block accounted for 0.30% as well as 0.50% of the variances in excessive use in the adolescent and adult samples respectively.”
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    Findingown data

    In the adolescent sample, neuroticism positively predicted excessive SNS use (beta = 0.18, p < .001).

    “| Neuroticism | 0.18*** | 0.19*** | 0.13*** | 0.21*** |”
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    Premisecitation

    Past research has shown that interpersonal influence is associated with individuals' continuous intention of using SNSs.

    “When one's own social group propagates using SNSs, individuals are likely to mirror the behaviorpast research has shown that interpersonal influence are associated with individuals' continuous intention of using SNSs (Kim, 2011).”
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    Premisecitation

    The social cognitive model postulates that addiction is a function of deficiency in self-regulatory functions and the degree of automaticity in media use.

    “The third theoretical paradigm is known as the social cognitive model, which postulates that addiction is a function of deficiency in one's self-regulatory functions and the degree of automaticity in individuals' media use (LaRose, Lin, & Eastin, 2003;Lee, Ho, & Lwin, 2017b).”
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    Premisecitation

    TPB postulates that there are three key antecedents of intention: attitude, subjective norms, and PBC.

    “The theory postulates that there are three key antecedents of intentionattitude, subjective norms, and PBC (Ajzen, 1991).”
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    Premisenone given
    § Till Logout Do Us Part? Comparison of Factors Predicting Excessive Social Network Sites Use and Addiction Between Singaporean Adolescents and Adults

    To date, no known studies have examined problematic SNSs use among adolescents at a national level.

    “To date, there are no known studies that have examined problematic SNSs use among adolescents at a national level.”
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    Premisecitation
    § Till Logout Do Us Part? Comparison of Factors Predicting Excessive Social Network Sites Use and Addiction Between Singaporean Adolescents and Adults

    Most studies on SNSs focus predominantly on its affordances for communication, such as impression management and formation, and not many have examined the darker side of SNSs use, particularly why adolescents use SNSs excessively and how addictive tendencies form.

    “First, most studies on SNSs focus predominantly on its affordances for communication, such as impression management and formation (Haferkamp, Eimler, Papadakis, & Kruck, 2012;Van Der Heide, Angelo, & Schumaker, 2012).Not many have examined the darker side of SNSs use (Arcy, Gupta, Tarafdar, & Turel, 2014;Tarafdar, Gupta, & Turel, 2013), particularly in the context of unpacking why adolescents use”
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    Premisecitation
    § Till Logout Do Us Part? Comparison of Factors Predicting Excessive Social Network Sites Use and Addiction Between Singaporean Adolescents and Adults

    SNSs addiction is a more serious manifestation of problematic media use than excessive use, involving preoccupation, inability to regulate use, and significant negative impact on daily lifestyle.

    “The more serious manifestation of problematic media use -SNSs addictionrefers to a situation where individuals' preoccupation with SNSs, characterized by an inability to regulate their SNSs use, result in a significant negative impact on their daily lifestyle (Andreassen, Torsheim, Brunborg, & Pallesen, 2012;Caplan, Williams, & Yee, 2009).”
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    Premisecitation

    The cognitive-behavioral model examines SNSs excessive use and addiction through maladaptive cognitions and behaviors, such as psychosocial issues like depression and loneliness that drive individuals to seek relief on SNSs.

    “Scholars who adopt the cognitive-behavioral model examine SNSs excessive use and addiction through the lenses of maladaptive cognitions and behaviors (Caplan, 2003;Davis, 2001).These maladaptive cognitions that influence the development of problematic SNSs use could be in the form of psychosocial issues such as depression and loneliness.These psychosocial stressors may drive individuals to seek”
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    Premisereasoning

    Need to belong may be a key contributor to SNSs excessive use and addiction because SNSs offer instant access to friends and the need to be accepted by communities is an intrinsic human need.

    “Second, as SNSs offer instant and unfettered access to their friends, individuals may turn to SNSs to derive their sense of belonging (Ho, Lee, & Liao, 2016;Lee et al., 2017a).Thus, need to belong may be a key contributor of SNSs excessive use and addiction as the need to be accepted by communities is an intrinsic human need (Davis, 2012;Santrock, 2008).”
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    Premisecitation

    Individuals with certain personality traits, such as neuroticism and extraversion, are more likely to use SNSs excessively or develop SNSs addiction compared to others.

    “Existing literature have suggested that individuals with certain personality traits (e.g., neuroticism and extraversion) are more likely to use SNSs excessively or develop SNSs addiction as compared to others (Caci, Cardaci, Tabacchi, & Scrima, 2014;Muller et al., 2016;Orchard, Fullwood, Galbraith, & Morris, 2014;Wilson, Fornasier, & White, 2010).”
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    Premisecitation

    Studies suggest there are additional core areas beyond the four theoretical paradigms that may account for why individuals use SNSs excessively or become addicted.

    “While each of these theoretical frameworks have their own merits in extending our understanding of problematic SNSs use, studies have suggested that there are additional core areas beyond the scope of the four theoretical paradigms that may account for why individuals use SNSs excessively or be addicted (Lee et al., 2017a).”
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    Premisecitation

    The social skill model focuses on individuals with deficits in social interactions preferring Internet platforms like SNSs for communication, potentially developing unhealthy dependence as a substitute for offline interaction.

    “The second theoretical paradigmsocial skill model -focuses on how individuals with deficits in social interactions prefer to use Internet platforms such as SNSs for communication in which over time, they may develop an unhealthy dependence on SNSs as a substitute for offline interaction (Caplan, 2005).”
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    § Till Logout Do Us Part? Comparison of Factors Predicting Excessive Social Network Sites Use and Addiction Between Singaporean Adolescents and Adults

    SNSs excessive use and SNSs addiction are two related but distinct phenomena.

    “communication scholars are increasingly concerned with the rise of two related but distinct phenomenon -SNSs excessive use and SNSs addiction (Andreassen & Pallesen, 2014;Caplan, 2002).”
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    Premisecitation

    TPB is a highly robust theory that has consistently demonstrated that attitude, subjective norms, and PBC are related to various forms of SNSs behaviors.

    “This is because TPB is a highly robust theory that has consistently demonstrated that three factorsattitude, subjective norms, and PBCare related to various forms of SNSs behaviors (Kim, 2011;Lin & Lu, 2011).”
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    Premisecitation

    Self-identity and self-esteem may be relevant to SNSs excessive use and addiction because SNSs allow self-presentation, and people with lower self-esteem tend to use SNSs to boost their positive self-perception.

    “Last but not least, as a key feature of SNSs is allowing individuals to engage in different forms of self-presentation (Seidman, 2013), research has suggested that this may appeal to the different dimensions of self, such as self-identity and self-esteem (Lee et al., 2017b;Pelling & White, 2009).Thus, individuals may be attracted to indulge in SNSs use to derive their sense of self-identity (Lee”
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    Premisecitation

    Past research has shown that efficacy in navigating the Internet is associated with higher time spent on it.

    “However, users who are adept at navigating SNSs may tend to spend more time on it as they discover new functions and keep themselves updated on new extensions to SNSs past research has shown that efficacy in navigating the Internet is associated with higher time spent on it (LaRose et al., 2003).”
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    Premisecitation

    Individuals who perceive that they are able to control their behavior are less likely to develop addiction, as supported by previous research.

    “Hence, those who perceive that they are able to control their behavior (e.g., start or stop SNSs usage at their will) are less likely to develop addiction, as supported by previous research (Lu & Wang, 2008).”
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    Premisecitation

    In online gaming addiction, individuals with little inhibitory control are those with unhealthy dependence on online games.

    “In online gaming addiction, individuals with little inhibitory control are those with unhealthy dependence on online games (Lu & Wang, 2008).”
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    Premisecitation

    Previous studies have shown that personality traits may be associated with SNSs excessive use and addiction.

    “In addition to the factors in the TPB, previous studies have shown that personality traits may be associated with SNSs excessive use and addiction (Amichai-hamburger & Vinitzky, 2010;Hughes, Rowe, Batey, & Lee, 2012;Jenkins-Guarnieri, Wright, & Hudiburgh, 2012).”
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    Premisecitation

    Adults are not immune to internet-related addiction and their use does not differ much in their motivations for SNSs use.

    “Adults are not immune to internet-related addiction and their use do not differ much in their motivations for SNSs use (Alhabash, Park, Kononova, Chiang, & Wise, 2012;Balakrishnan & Shamim, 2013;Quin~ones-García & Korak-Kakabadse, 2014).”
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    Interpretationcitation

    These SNSs characteristics may induce users with dependence on SNSs, thus encouraging engagement in excessive SNSs use.

    “These SNSs characteristics may induce users with dependence on SNSs, thus encouraging engagement in excessive SNSs use (Aladwani, 2014;Pelling & White, 2009).”
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    Study design and conductnone given

    We conducted two separate nationally representative surveys of adolescents (aged 13 to 18) and adults (ages 19 to 50) in Singapore.

    “We conducted two separate nationally representative surveys of adolescents (aged 13 to 18) and adults (ages 19 to 50) in Singapore.”
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    Interpretationreasoning

    Individuals with higher need to belong may spend more time on SNSs and develop addictive tendencies.

    “Hence, individuals with such higher need to belong may spend more time on SNSs and develop addictive tendencies (Gangadharbatla, 2008;Ledbetter et al., 2011;Pelling & White, 2009).”
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    Premisecitation

    Existing research has identified low self-esteem as a risk factor for Internet-related addiction.

    “On one hand, it may be plausible to postulate that self-esteem is negatively associated with SNSs excessive use and addiction; existing research has identified low self-esteem as a risk factor for Internet-related addiction (Weinstein & Lejoyeux, 2010).”
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    Premisecitation

    Self-esteem has been shown to be negatively associated with deficient self-regulation and the development of media habit.

    “Moreover, selfesteem has been shown to be negatively associated with deficient self-regulation and the development of media habit (Davies & Hemingway, 2014).”
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    Premisecitation

    More adults are using SNSs and may demonstrate impulsivity and lack of control.

    “Moreover, more adults are using SNSs (Wiederhold, 2012), and may demonstrate impulsivity and lack of control (Scheres, Tontsch, Thoeny, & Sumiya, 2014).”
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    Premisecitation

    Research has shown that individuals with high self-esteem are more likely to use SNSs to display attractiveness.

    “This is because confident individuals are more likely to want to use SNSs research has shown that individuals with high self-esteem are more likely to use SNSs to display attractiveness (Kapidzic, 2013).”
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    Premisecitation

    Mehdizadeh (2010) found that self-esteem is negatively associated with greater SNSs activity; those with lower self-esteem spent more time on SNSs and had more SNSs logins.

    “Mehdizadeh (2010) found that self-esteem is negatively associated with greater SNSs activity those with lower self-esteem were found to have spent more time on SNSs and have more SNSs logins.”
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    Premisecitation

    The need to forge friendships is an important developmental goal of adolescents.

    “Moreover, SNSs offer a lot of opportunities for social connectionthe need to forge friendships is an important developmental goal of adolescents (Santrock, 2008).”
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    Premisecitation

    In Internet addiction research, scholars have argued that psychosocial problems may predispose individuals to develop preference for online communication.

    “In Internet addiction research, scholars have argued that psychosocial problems may predispose individuals to develop preference for online communication (Caplan & High, 2012;Caplan, 2007).”
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    Premisenone given

    The link between self-esteem and SNSs excessive use and addiction is at best inconclusive based on existing literature.

    “Currently, the link between self-esteem and SNSs excessive use and addiction are at best inconclusive based on existing literature.”
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    Study design and conductown data

    The multi-stage cluster sampling of younger adolescents involved randomly selecting two secondary schools from each of four education planning zones, with eight of 48 selected schools agreeing to participate.

    “From each of the four clusters, two secondary schools (primary sampling unit) were randomly selected and invited to participate in our study.After the school management consented to participate, we invited all the students (secondary sampling unit) to take part in our study.From the four clusters, eight secondary schools agreed to participate in our study out of the 48 randomly selected schools.”
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    Study design and conductown data

    The adolescent sample was recruited using multi-stage cluster sampling for secondary school students and simple random sampling for junior college students.

    “The adolescent sample consists of secondary and junior college students who filled out a self-administered pen-and-paper questionnaire, which we recruited using multi-stage cluster sampling and simple random sampling respectively.”
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    Premisecitation

    Users who feel a strong membership to online community as part of their identity show a higher level of gratification in SNSs participation.

    “Users who feel a strong membership to online community as part of their identity show a higher level of gratification in SNSs participation (Zhang, Tang, & Leung, 2011).”
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    Premisecitation

    As compared to adults, younger people tend to show more favorable views of technology, to succumb to peer pressure and use media excessively in order to fit in, to depend on SNSs to build their self-esteem and identity, and to have lower executive functions.

    “As compared to adults, younger people tend to show more favorable views of technology, to succumb to peer pressure and use media excessively in order to fit in, to depend on SNSs to build their self-esteem and identity, and to have lower executive functions (Davis, 2013;Pelling & White, 2009;Prencipe et al., 2011;Yu, Kim, & Hay, 2013).”
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    Premisecitation

    The need to belong can be fulfilled partially by using SNSs platforms.

    “The need to belong can be fulfilled partially by using SNSs platforms (Gangadharbatla, 2008).”
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    Study design and conductnone given

    The adult participants were recruited through a door-to-door household survey using stratified random sampling.

    “The adult participants were recruited through a door-to-door household survey using stratified random sampling.”
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    Premisecitation

    Past research on personality traits and SNSs has found that extroverted individuals have a bigger online social network, join more Facebook groups, and spend longer sessions on SNSs.

    “Past research on personality traits and SNSs have found that extroverted individuals have a bigger online social network, join more Facebook groups and spend longer sessions on SNSs (Caci et al., 2014;Ross et al., 2009).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Caci et al., 2014 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Ross et al., 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Online interaction provides individuals with a safer and more comfortable platform to interact, as there are less chances for them to receive strong negative reactions, in comparison to face-to-face communication.

    “Online interaction provides individuals with a safer and more comfortable platform to interact, as there are less chances for them to receive strong negative reactions, in comparison to face-to-face communication (Caplan, 2005).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Caplan, 2005 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Individuals with high need to belong feel isolated when they are not in touch with their social family, friends, and peers, and accessing SNSs more intensely becomes a substitute for coping with their loneliness.

    “Greenwood and Long (2009) argue that individuals with high need to belong feel isolated when they are not in touch with their social family, friends, and peers.Accessing SNSs more intensely becomes a substitute for coping with their loneliness.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Greenwood & Long, 2009

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Findings from research suggest that individuals with higher self-esteem scores may use SNSs excessively or develop addictive tendencies.

    “On the other hand, there are findings from research that suggest that individuals with higher self-esteem scores may use SNSs excessively (e.g., for purposes such as social enhancement) or develop addictive tendencies (Barker, 2009;Zhang et al., 2011;Zywica & Danowski, 2008).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Barker, 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Zhang et al., 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Zywica & Danowski, 2008 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Some studies did not find association between self-esteem and SNSs use, as well as SNSs addiction.

    “At the same time, some studies did not find association between self-esteem and SNSs use, as well as SNSs addiction (Baker & White, 2010;Skues, Williams, & Wise, 2012;Wilson et al., 2010).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Baker & White, 2010 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Skues et al., 2012 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Wilson et al., 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Individuals with high neuroticism may turn to SNSs to alleviate dysphoric moods and depend on SNSs as a surrogate for communication.

    “Individuals with high neuroticism may turn to SNSs to alleviate their dysphoric moods, and depend on SNSs as a surrogate for communication (LaRose, Kim, & Peng, 2010).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites LaRose et al., 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Peer influence matters more for adolescents than for adults because becoming part of a peer group is an important developmental goal for teenagers.

    “peer influences may matter more for adolescents as becoming part of a peer group is an important developmental goal for teenagers (Meece & Daniels, 2008)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Meece & Daniels, 2008

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductcitation

    The ethnic proportions of the adult sample (Chinese 71%, Malays 13%, Indians 12%, Others 4%) were similar to those of the 2010 national census.

    “The ethnic proportions of our sample were as follow -Chinese (71%), Malays (13%), Indians (12%), and Others (4%), which were similar to the national census conducted in 2010 (Department of Statistics Singapore, 2010).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Department of Statistics Singapore, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Institutional Review Board approval was obtained before data collection, and informed consent was obtained from the school management team, parents and students for adolescents and from the adult participants themselves.

    “Approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before data collection.For recruitment of adolescents, we also obtained approval from the Ministry of Education and informed consent from the school management team, parents as well as the students.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Attitude is often a significant antecedent of intention, but its relationship with actual behavior is often nonsignificant.

    “Past research have shown that while attitude is often a significant antecedent of intention, its relationship with actual behavior is often nonsignificant (Baker & White, 2010;Pelling & White, 2009).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Baker & White, 2010 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Pelling & White, 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Setting the significance level is an a priori step, and researchers may specify the significance level and the corresponding critical value of the test statistic.

    “determining the significance level is an a priori step -that is, researchers have the prerogative to specify the significance level and the respective critical value of the test statistic in a case where null hypothesis is true (Dahiru, 2008)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dahiru, 2008

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Social comparison with others on SNSs may lead to jealousy and envy and may thereby deter people from SNSs.

    “social comparison with others on SNSs may lead to jealousy and envy, and thus may deter them from SNSs (Tandoc, Ferrucci, & Duffy, 2015;Utz & Beukeboom, 2011).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Tandoc, Ferrucci, & Duffy, 2015 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Utz & Beukeboom, 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Statisticians have specifically recommended a cutoff of p < 0.001 for large datasets.

    “statisticians have specifically recommended a cutoff of p < 0.001 for large datasets (Johnson, 2013)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Johnson, 2013 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Within-household randomization used the Next Birthday Method, which ensures an equal probability of selection of all household members.

    “To ensure randomization within household, the”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Gaziano, 2005 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    From the participating junior college, 1300 students were invited and 1167 completed the survey.

    “From this junior college, 1300 students were invited to take part in the survey and eventually 1167 completed the survey.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Adults with lower self-esteem are more likely to use SNSs to alleviate dysphoric moods and gain social approval over time, and thus develop an inability to regulate their SNSs usage.

    “Adults with lower self-esteem are more likely to use SNSs to alleviate dysphoric moods and gain social approval over time, and thus develop an inability to regulate SNSs usage (LaRose et al., 2010).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites LaRose et al., 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The total sample size of the adolescent sample, including both secondary and junior college students, was 4920 students.

    “The total sample size of the adolescent sample, including both secondary and junior college students, was 4920 students.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Specific uses of SNSs, such as posting and viewing updates, or motivational factors such as mood modification, are the drivers of high-intensity SNSs usage.

    “Past studies have suggested that specific uses of SNSssuch as posting and viewing updatesor motivational factors (e.g., mood modification) are the drivers of high intensity SNSs usage (Alhabash et al., 2012;Ancu, 2012).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Alhabash et al., 2012 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Ancu, 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    A significance cutoff of p < 0.001, rather than p < 0.05 or p < 0.01, was used to determine statistical significance in the adolescent sample.

    “We have decided on using p < 0.001 as a cutoff instead of p < 0.05 or p < 0.01 to determine statistical significance in our adolescent sample”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    For junior colleges, out of nine invited, only one agreed to participate.

    “Out of the nine colleges invited, only one college agreed to take part in our study.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Extroverted adults are more likely to use SNSs daily for longer durations and to have more friends.

    “Past research has shown that extroverted adults are more likely to use SNSs daily for a longer duration, and have more friends (Caci et al., 2014).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Caci et al., 2014 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The overall response rate for secondary schools participation was 16.7%, and the response rate for students participation was 78.3%.

    “The overall response rate for the secondary schools participation (primary sampling unit) in the study was 16.7%, and the response rate for students participation (secondary sampling unit) was 78.3%, computed using Foy's (1989) formulation 2 .”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Foy, 1989

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The adolescent sample comprised 50.6% females and 49.4% males, with age ranging from 13 to 21 years (M = 14.41, SD = 2.72).

    “Our sample comprised 50.6% females and 49.4% males with age ranging from 13 to 21 years (M 14.41, SD 2.72).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The overall response rate of junior colleges participation was 11.1%, and the response rate for junior college students' participation was 89.8%.

    “The overall response rate of junior colleges participation was 11.1%.The response rate for junior college students' participation was 89.8%.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    In total, 4793 students were invited from the eight secondary schools and 3753 completed the survey.

    “In total, 4793 students were invited from these eight secondary schools and eventually 3753 students completed the survey.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The conventional p < 0.05 significance threshold is essentially arbitrary and has no strict objective basis.

    “although the practice of using p < 0.05 as a threshold for significance is commonly accepted, it is essentially an arbitrary figure with no strict objective basis (Dahiru, 2008)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dahiru, 2008

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The adolescent sample ethnic proportions were Chinese 79.69%, Malays 11.63%, Indians 4.25%, and others 4.43%.

    “Our sample ethnic proportions were Chinese (79.69%),Malays (11.63%),Indians (4.25%), and others (4.43%).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Of 2639 adults approached, 1000 completed the survey, giving an overall response rate of 43% calculated with the AAPOR formula 3.

    “In total, we approached 2639 adults and eventually 1000 of them completed the survey.The overall response rate was 43% calculated based on the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) formula 3”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Self-esteem may not be associated with excessive use and addiction in adolescents because social comparison on SNSs may lead to jealousy and envy and thereby deter them from SNSs.

    “As for adolescents, self-esteem may not be associated with excessive use and addiction because social comparison with others on SNSs may lead to jealousy and envy, and thus may deter them from SNSs (Tandoc, Ferrucci, & Duffy, 2015;Utz & Beukeboom, 2011).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Tandoc, Ferrucci, & Duffy, 2015 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Utz & Beukeboom, 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    External pressure from friends may not be enough to motivate adolescents to use SNSs more than they should; their excessive use may instead stem from intrinsic motivations such as self-presentation and mood modification.

    “This suggests that external pressures from friends may not be enough in motivating adolescents to use SNS more than they shouldusing SNSs excessively could be due to intrinsic motivations such as using SNSs for self-presentation and mood-modification purposes (Darvell, Walsh, & White, 2011;LaRose et al., 2010;Van Der Heide et al., 2012).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Darvell, Walsh, & White, 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites LaRose et al., 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Van Der Heide et al., 2012 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Extroverted adults may exhibit excessive use and addiction because they are more attracted by stimulating environments and seek out new friends, and this constant access may facilitate an unhealthy dependence on SNSs.

    “Caci et al. (2014) argued that adults who are extroverted may tend to exhibit excessive use and addiction because they are more likely to be attracted by stimulating environments and to seek out new friends.This constant access may facilitate an unhealthy dependence on SNSs.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Caci et al., 2014 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Need to belong is significantly associated with excessive use and addiction only in adults, possibly because adults' primary motivation for SNSs use is connecting with people.

    “As for why need to belong is only significantly associated with excessive use and addiction in adults, it may be due to the adults' primary motivation of SNSs useto connect with people (Joinson, 2008).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Joinson, 2008

      Not checked in the free run.

76 of 76

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    TPB assumes that individuals' intention to carry out a behavior is the most proximal determinant of actual behavior.

    “TPB assumes that individuals' intention to carry out a behavior is the most proximal determinant of actual behavior.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    In the original conceptualization, PBC is assumed to be a strong predictor of activities that are goal-directed in nature.

    “Furthermore, in the original conceptualization, PBC is assumed to be a strong predictor of activities that are goal-directed in nature.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The blocks of variables entered into the regression model follow a causal order.

    “We entered the blocks into the regression model in a presumed causal order.”
3 of 3

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Compared with older generations, youngsters gain access to social media at a much earlier age, and thus feel more comfortable to use social media as a means of communication and are more vulnerable to social media addiction.

    “Compared with older generations, youngsters gain access to social media at a much earlier age, and thus feel more comfortable to use social media as a means of communication and are more vulnerable to social media addiction (e.g., Ho, Lwin, & Lee, 2017;Monacis, de Palo, Griffiths, & Sinatra, 2017).”

    From Prevalence of social media addiction across 32 nations: Meta-analysis with subgroup analysis of classification schemes and cultural values (2021) · cites this paper as Ho, Lwin, & Lee, 2017

    The Results (section 5; page unavailable) report higher social-network-site addiction scores among Singaporean adolescents than adults. The Discussion (section 6; page unavailable) describes adolescents as more competent at navigating these sites, but the paper does not establish that they gained access at an earlier age or that earlier access caused greater comfort with social-media communication and addiction vulnerability. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Statistics recomputed

Every reported test result, recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom. A result shows as not adding up only once an independent check has confirmed it.

  • Consistentt(5918) = 26.4reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001

    “t(5918) = 26.4,p < .001”

1 of 1

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Adult PBC-addiction coefficient has opposite signs

    Minor

    The results text reports a positive adult coefficient of 0.06 while describing the association as negative. Table 1 reports the adult coefficient as −0.06.

  • Adolescent age range differs between methods statements

    Minor

    The surveys are described as including adolescents aged 13 to 18, but the reported adolescent sample extends to age 21.

  • Two adolescent addiction means are reported

    Minor

    The measures section gives the adolescent SNS-addiction mean as 2.52, whereas the results section gives it as 2.49. The difference exceeds rounding at the stated precision.

3 of 3

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

4 of the 113 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Ho, S. S., Lwin, M. O., & Lee, E. W. J.
Affiliations
Nanyang Technological University (SG)
Corresponding author
Ho, Shirley S.
ORCID
Venue
Computers in Human Behavior
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-10
Volume
75
Pages
632-642
ISSN
0747-5632 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.chb.2017.06.002
OpenAlex
W2621119030
Cited by
117
References
113
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 5
FWCI
18.20
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Computers in Human Behavior (publishedVersion)
  • DR-NTU (Nanyang Technological University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Info-Communications Media Development Authority of Singapore Academic Engagement Program (M4061381)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Technology Adoption and User Behaviour
Keywords
social network sites, excessive social media use, social media addiction, theory of planned behavior, adolescents, adults, neuroticism, extraversion, need to belong, self-identity, self-esteem, Singapore

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-08.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-08.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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