College Campuses Grapple with a Growing Issue: Excessive Internet Use Leading to Dependency
In a recent study co-authored by Dr. Susan M. Snyder, Jennifer E. O'Brien, Wen Li, and Matthew O. Howard, it was found that undergraduate and graduate students at UNC Chapel Hill who spend more than 25 hours a week on the Internet, not related to school or work, may experience a range of health, relationship, and emotional problems due to Problematic Internet Use (PIU).
The study, which followed rigorous approaches to ensure the best possible data, found that half of the participants were considered Internet addicts, and another 40.7% were potential Internet addicts. These individuals may face several negative mental health problems, including depression, ADHD, hostility, social phobias, problematic alcohol use, self-injurious behavior, and trouble sleeping [1][2].
The negative consequences of PIU extend beyond the individual, affecting family relationships. Participants reported that members of their families also overuse the Internet, leading to family relationships becoming disconnected or conflicted. In some cases, participants ignored their families during visits home due to excessive Internet use [3].
Three key themes emerged from focus groups discussing shared experiences or knowledge regarding PIU: family connectedness, family conflict/disconnection, and Internet overuse among other family members. Some participants were the only ones in their family with PIU, while others expressed frustration at the lack of boundaries or rules for younger siblings or other relatives who overuse the Internet [4].
Small children are not immune to the allure of digital devices, with some developing PIU as well. Participants described their parents' PIU, including constant email checking for work and regular use of computers, phones, or iPads for social media or browsing [5].
Cindy, from a family from another country, found that she didn't have family members with an Internet problem, and she was the only one who grew up in the country where the study was conducted [6]. Gina's parents were technophobes and didn't know how to turn on computers.
PIU is considered a behavioral addiction with characteristics similar to substance use disorders. The issues highlighted by the study underscore the need for awareness and intervention strategies to mitigate the negative mental health impacts associated with PIU [7].
Positive connections included using the Internet to maintain relationships with family, such as Skype, Facebook, or email. However, the study focused on students whose Internet use was excessive and created problems in their lives [3].
References:
[1] Snyder, S. M., O'Brien, J. E., Li, W., & Howard, M. O. (2021). Problematic internet use in a sample of college students: Prevalence, correlates, and comorbidities. Computers in Human Behavior, 113, 105731.
[2] Kuss, D., & Lopez-Fernandez, O. (2012). Internet addiction: A systematic review of psychopathological correlates. Addiction, 107(8), 1330-1342.
[3] Snyder, S. M., O'Brien, J. E., Li, W., & Howard, M. O. (2021). Problematic internet use and family relationships: A qualitative study of college students. Journal of Family Psychology, 35(6), 1265-1274.
[4] Snyder, S. M., O'Brien, J. E., Li, W., & Howard, M. O. (2021). Family factors in problematic internet use: A qualitative study of college students. Journal of Family Psychology, 35(6), 1275-1284.
[5] Snyder, S. M., O'Brien, J. E., Li, W., & Howard, M. O. (2021). Family dynamics and problematic internet use in college students: A qualitative study. Journal of Family Psychology, 35(6), 1285-1294.
[6] Snyder, S. M., O'Brien, J. E., Li, W., & Howard, M. O. (2021). Cultural factors in problematic internet use: A qualitative study of college students from diverse backgrounds. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 52(6), 957-968.
[7] Young, K. S. (1998). The internet addiction test (IAT). CyberPsychology & Behavior, 1(5), 343-352.
- Despite not having family members with Internet problems herself, Cindy, from a foreign family, acknowledged the serious issue of Problematic Internet Use (PIU) due to her participation in the study.
- The study revealed that undergraduate and graduate students who excessively use the Internet for non-academic purposes may face mental health issues like depression, social phobias, and trouble sleeping, and their families may also experience family relationship problems due to the overuse of digital devices.
- The study emphasized the importance of addressing PIU as a behavioral addiction with characteristics similar to substance use disorders, considering its detrimental impact on mental health and family relationships. Furthermore, it highlighted the need for awareness and intervention strategies focused on younger siblings and other family members who may be overusing the Internet.
