Internet Addiction of Adolescents in Taiwan: An Interview Study

Abstract

This study presented a follow-up investigation of a series of studies about Taiwanese adolescents' Internet addiction. Through analyzing a series of questionnaires, 10 Taiwanese adolescents with Internet addiction were selected for in-depth interviews. Adolescents' interview data revealed the following: First, almost all of the interviewed adolescents exhibited most of the symptoms of Internet addiction as identified by previous studies, including compulsive use and withdrawal, tolerance, and related problems of school, health, family, finance, and time management. Moreover, almost all of the interviewed adolescents stated that messages on the Internet became the primary source of their information and knowledge. Many of them were addicted to the messages and activity on the Internet, but not by the Internet as a medium per se. Also, the world of the Internet seemed to become a place to relieve adolescents' depression. Most of the interviewed adolescents self-declared that they were Internet addicts, but none of them could clearly state what to do with such an addiction. Psychologists and educators should pay more attention to this and then propose possible solutions for adolescents.

The Problematic Internet Entertainment Use Scale for Adolescents: Prevalence of Problem Internet Use in Spanish High School Students

“…However, in contrast to other studies, 24,34 the problematic user profile presented no evidence of sociodemographic differences; 48 only as regard the time of Internet use, they spent twice as long as nonproblematic users, 45 with an average of 2.25 hours per day and around 15-25 hours weekly. 26,36,45,49 To distinguish problem use from high engagement or temporary absorption, exploratory qualitative studies are now required to shed light on IUD symptoms in adolescent patients, 75 and to assess the testimony of their counselors. 76 For example, screening clinical interview protocols 30,75 could be used to obtain evidence of IUD to complement the data provided by the existing scales; likewise, confirmatory studies could help to establish new advances (for instance, in the psychological mechanisms underlying IUD).…”

“…26,36,45,49 To distinguish problem use from high engagement or temporary absorption, exploratory qualitative studies are now required to shed light on IUD symptoms in adolescent patients, 75 and to assess the testimony of their counselors. 76 For example, screening clinical interview protocols 30,75 could be used to obtain evidence of IUD to complement the data provided by the existing scales; likewise, confirmatory studies could help to establish new advances (for instance, in the psychological mechanisms underlying IUD). Proposals for diagnostic criteria in adolescents are also needed, 24,31 as are scales aimed specifically at this population, with clear and common cut-off points.…”

Young Female Users of Social Media and Internet Addiction

“…The wide use and involving nature of social media has been shown to allow advertisers easy access to involved consumers, yet one's addiction to these services can also cause problems when trying to convey complex messages [13]. Internet addiction can lead to more usage, but it can also lead to reduced cognition [16,17], therefore limiting the ability to communicate effectively [18,13].…”

“…Understanding the values and motivations of Social Media users is critically important for advertisers. The 'addictive' nature of Social Media, while allowing advertisers easy access to involved consumers, can cause problems when trying to convey complex messages [13].…”

The evolution of Internet addiction: A global perspective

“…In Europe, the roots of research into IA began with the publication of Griffiths' (1995a) paper on 'technological addictions' that prompted publications on both IA (Griffiths, 1995b;1996a) and specific online addictions such as Internet gambling addiction (Griffiths, 1996b). In addition to the work of Young and Griffiths, the first empirical studies started to appear, including prevalence surveys with self-selected samples, case studies, explorations of psychosocial and psychiatric correlates of IA, and psychometric validation of instruments assessing IA (e.g., Black, Belsare & Schlosser, 1999;Brenner, 1997;Chou, 2001;Kubey, Lavin & Barrows, 2001, Lavin, Marvin, McLarney et al, 1999Leon & Rotunda, 2000;Morahan-Martin & Schumacher, 2000;Pratarelli, Browne & Johnson, 1999;Scherer, 1997;Shapira, Goldsmith, Keck et al, 2000;Treuer, Fabian & Furedi, 2001;Tsai & Lin, 2001;Xuanhui & Gonggu, 2001). …”