Temporal associations between physical activity and three types of problematic use of the internet: A six-month longitudinal study

Abstract

Background and aimsInternet use has become an important part of daily living. However, for a minority it may become problematic. Moreover, problematic use of the Internet/smartphone (PUIS) has been associated with low physical activity. The present study investigated the temporal associations between three types of PUIS (i.e., problematic smartphone use [PSPU], problematic social media use [PSMU] and problematic gaming [PG]) and physical activity among Taiwanese university students.MethodsA six-month longitudinal survey study comprising three time points for assessments was conducted. From the original 974 participants, a total of 452 completed all three waves of an online survey comprising the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) assessing physical activity level, Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS) assessing PSPU, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) assessing PSMU, and Internet Gaming Disorder Short Form (IGDS9-SF) assessing PG.ResultsThe linear mixed effects model found positive temporal associations of PSMU and PG with physical activity level (PSMU: B = 85.88, SE = 26.24; P = 0.001; PG: B = 36.81, SE = 15.17; P = 0.02). PSPU was not associated with physical activity level (B = 40.54, SE = 22.99; P = 0.08). Additionally, the prevalence rates were 44.4% for at-risk/PSPU, 24.6% for at-risk/PSMU, and 12.3% for at-risk/PG.Discussion and ConclusionsPSMU and PG unexpectedly demonstrated correlations with higher physical activity level. The nature of these relationships warrants additional investigation into the underlying mechanisms in order to promote healthy lifestyles among university students.

Problematic Use of Internet Associates with Poor Quality of Life via Psychological Distress in Invididuals with ADHD

“…Although this finding does not support the original hypothesis, a similar finding has been reported previously in that PUSM and PG were positively associated with physical activity in Taiwanese students. 62 …”

Problematic Social Networking Site use-effects on mental health and the brain

“…During COVID-19, problematic use of Internet-related activities in Chinese school children were increased among low and moderate users of the Internet, but it has surprisingly declined among participants with high usage of the Internet ( 94 ). A 6-month longitudinal study of Taiwanese students has surprisingly shown that problematic social media use correlated with higher physical activity ( 95 ). Finally, a 3-month longitudinal study among Hong Kong students has expectedly shown that social media use negatively correlated with physical activity and sleep quality ( 96 ).…”

Collection of smartphone and internet addiction

“…Indeed, current evidence from cross-sectional and longitudinal design has demonstrated the associations between smartphone/internet addiction and various health outcomes, such as psychological distress [ 13 , 14 ], sleep problems [ 15 , 16 ], and quality of life [ 17 ]. However, some scientific evidence reports positive effects of smartphone/internet addiction on health, such as the increase of physical activity [ 18 , 19 ]. In this regard, the effects of smartphone and internet addiction on human being’s health needs additional evidence to provide a clear picture for healthcare providers in order to help them evaluate the benefits and harms of such addictions.…”