The Impact of Internet Addiction on Emotional Regulation and Communication Skills: Review

Abstract

Internet has become a significant part of our life in today’s world. Internet addiction has become so common in present time with increasing number of individual’s experiencing compulsive and excessive internet use.  This review paper analyses the existing literature to examine the impact of internet addiction on emotional regulation and communicational skills. Various studies have showed that excessive internet use is associated with enhanced level of stress, loneliness, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem as well. Individual with internet addiction shows difficulties in emotional recognition and emotional regulation. Internet addiction can play a crucial role in emotional numbing and desensitization which impair the individuals’ ability of expressing emotions and empathy towards others. Following the impact of internet addiction on emotional regulation, the review also examines the impact of internet addiction on communication skills. Research findings demonstrate that excessive internet use adversely affect the communication skills. Internet addiction adversely affects face-to face interactions, enhance dependency on digital communication platforms and hinder interpersonal interaction. Individuals who suffer from internet addiction are likely to have difficulties in starting and sustaining conversations, misinterpreting social cues, and face difficulty while interpreting complex social situations. The review clearly point out the negative effect of internet addiction on emotional regulation and communication skills. The review also highlights the need of multifaceted intervention for promoting adaptive emotional regulation intervention and enhancing communication skills and designing intervention for healthy internet usage.