Problematic Internet Use and Mental Well-Being: The Importance Adolescents' Place on Digital Technology Interactions Moderates This Relationship.

Purpose

Problematic Internet use (PIU) affects around 10% of adolescents and contributes to lower well-being. However, using the Internet for social connection is associated with higher well-being. This study investigated whether the importance placed on using technology in specific ways, such as for social connection, might attenuate the association between PIU and mental well-being.

Methods

This national cross-sectional study examined whether adolescents' perceived importance of technology interactions moderated the association between PIU and mental well-being. Adolescents responded via an online survey to measures of PIU, mental well-being, and the importance of digital technology interactions. Analyses included three hierarchical regressions.

Results

Our sample included 1,520 adolescent participants (51.9% female, 67.6% white, mean age = 14.5 years). PIU was negatively associated with mental well-being (β = -.31, p < .001). Adolescents' perceived importance of technology interactions moderated the association. Using technology to bridge online and offline experiences (p < .001), go outside of one's identity (p < .001), and for social connection attenuated associations between PIU and mental well-being (p < .001), such that associations were less pronounced for adolescents who reported stronger importance of using technology for those digital interactions.

Discussion

Adolescent health care providers should consider the importance adolescents with PIU place on different technology interactions and the potential role interactions play in mental well-being.