Internet Addiction and Self-Esteem Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Considering excessive internet use by early and middle adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, the present chapter describes an original preliminary study of junior high school students' internet addiction during the pandemic period, while also examining the role of self-esteem. Overall, 235 students (60.4% girls) of the three grades of schools in Attica (Greece) completed a self-report questionnaire, which included scales on internet addiction and self-esteem. Above average/normal and excessive/addictive internet use and indicative behaviors (e.g., lack of control) seemed to concern students, especially girls. Self-esteem proved to be a statistically significant negative predictor of the students' internet addiction. The findings contribute not only theoretically but also practically, highlighting the necessity of implementing school awareness-prevention actions to strengthen early and middle adolescents' social-emotional skills and safe internet use.