Internet addiction, loneliness and social anxiety among adolescents

Abstract

Internet addiction is a major issue among adolescents over the recent years. This study aimed to investigate correlation between internet addiction with social anxiety and loneliness. The sample consisted of 100 adolescents. Internet Addiction Test (IAT) by Dr. Kimberly Young, UCLA Loneliness Scale and Leibowitz social anxiety scale were employed in the collection of data. Pearson correlation, regression analysis, and the student t-test were used for data analysis. Results revealed a significant positive correlation between social anxiety and loneliness with Internet addiction. Furthermore, social anxiety and loneliness were found to be significant predictors of Internet addiction. Research suggests that socially anxious and lonelier individuals are particularly susceptible to this problematic internet use. This vulnerability may relate to the perception of online communication as a safer means of interacting, due to providing anonymity, improved sense of social control and decreased risk of negative evaluation, social fears and social rejection.