Online social networking and addiction - a review of the psychological literature

Kuss, DJ ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8917-782X and Griffiths, MD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8880-6524, 2011. Online social networking and addiction - a review of the psychological literature. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8 (12), pp. 3528-3552. ISSN 1660-4601

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Abstract

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) are virtual communities where users can create individual public profiles, interact with real-life friends, and meet other people based on shared interests. They are seen as a ‘global consumer phenomenon’ with an exponential rise in usage within the last few years. Anecdotal case study evidence suggests that ‘addiction’ to social networks on the Internet may be a potential mental health problem for some users. However, the contemporary scientific literature addressing the addictive qualities of social networks on the Internet is scarce. Therefore, this literature review is intended to provide empirical and conceptual insight into the emerging phenomenon of addiction to SNSs by: (1) outlining SNS usage patterns, (2) examining motivations for SNS usage, (3) examining personalities of SNS users, (4) examining negative consequences of SNS usage, (5) exploring potential SNS addiction, and (6) exploring SNS addiction specificity and comorbidity. The findings indicate that SNSs are predominantly used for social purposes, mostly related to the maintenance of established offline networks. Moreover, extraverts appear to use social networking sites for social enhancement, whereas introverts use it for social compensation, each of which appears to be related to greater usage, as does low conscientiousness and high narcissism. Negative correlates of SNS usage include the decrease in real life social community participation and academic achievement, as well as relationship problems, each of which may be indicative of potential addiction.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Creators:	Kuss, D.J. and Griffiths, M.D.
Publisher:	MDPI AG
Place of Publication:	Basel, Switzerland
Date:	2011
Volume:	8
Number:	12
ISSN:	1660-4601
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.3390/ijerph8093528 DOI
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	EPrints Services
Date Added:	09 Oct 2015 11:08
Last Modified:	09 Jun 2017 13:50
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/23257

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