Στάσεις Εφήβων για το Διαδικτυακό Εθισμό

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the attitudes of adolescents toward internet addiction. Cross-sectional study of 92 high school students aged 15-17 (M=15.96 years old, SD = 0,82) completed the following self-reported measures: YDQ for internet addiction, Crowne and Marlowe social desirability scale and the Attitudes Towards Internet Addicted User scale. Adolescents represent internet addicted user as a person who spent most of his time surfing on the internet, as well as a person who sleep less because of his compulsive internet addiction. Adolescents make a distinction between daily uses of the internet (e.g. seeking information on the internet) and behaviors associated with internet addiction. From the exploratory factor analysis four factors emerged. The scale of social desirability was not associated systematically with the items of the scale Attitudes Towards Internet Addicted User and the YDQ scale of internet addiction. The U test showed significant gender differences regarding attitudes towards internet addicted user, with girls showing higher levels in items referring to compulsive use and decreased functionality, while boys showed higher level in recommendations relating to self-awareness of dependency and the protection of privacy in the internet. The examination of attitudes toward internet addicted user revealed some interesting findings for adolescents beliefs and attitudes toward problematic internet use. Furthermore, these findings provide guidance for the designation of an intervention program about internet addiction in Greece or for an adaptation in the Greek context. of an already implemented program in other countries.