Development of an Online and Offline Integration Hypothesis for Healthy Internet Use: Theory and Preliminary Evidence

Abstract

The Internet has become an integral part of our daily life, and how to make the best use of the Internet is important to both individuals and the society. Based on previous studies, an Online and Offline Integration Hypothesis is proposed to suggest a framework for considering harmonious and balanced Internet use. The Integration Hypothesis proposes that healthier patterns of Internet usage may be achieved through harmonious integration of people’s online and offline worlds. An online/offline integration is proposed to unite self-identity, interpersonal relationships, and social functioning with both cognitive and behavioral aspects by following the principles of communication, transfer, consistency, and “offline-first” priorities. To begin to test the hypothesis regarding the relationship between integration level and psychological outcomes, data for the present study were collected from 626 undergraduate students (41.5% males). Participants completed scales for online and offline integration, Internet addiction, pros and cons of Internet use, loneliness, extraversion, and life satisfaction. The findings revealed that subjects with higher level of online/offline integration have higher life satisfaction, greater extraversion, and more positive perceptions of the Internet and less loneliness, lower Internet addiction, and fewer negative perceptions of the Internet. Integration mediates the link between extraversion and psychological outcomes, and it may be the mechanism underlying the difference between the “rich get richer” and social compensation hypotheses. The implications of the online and offline integration hypothesis are discussed.

Profile Pictures in the Digital World: Self-Photographs Predict Better Life Satisfaction

“…This finding suggests that individuals who use self-photographs as their online self-representation may hold a high level of consistency in offline–online self-representation, which is a crucial facet of subjective well-being in internet users. The result adds to evidence suggesting that a higher level of online and offline self-integration is associated with better mental health [ 25 ]. Psychiatric work has well documented that changes in self-representation are associated with reduced well-being and several mental disorders (e.g., depression and schizophrenia) [ 3 ].…”

“…Is there a gender difference in such an effect? Based on previous research that the levels of consistency in offline–online self-representation index the subjective well-being in internet users [ 25 ], we predicted that individuals using self-photographs as profile pictures, in comparison to individuals using other pictures as profiles, would show a higher degree of life satisfaction. In addition, due to mixed results regarding the role of gender in the relationship between well-being and profile pictures, and no previous studies investigating the associations between profile pictures, personality, and life satisfaction, we had no specific hypotheses regarding how gender and personality traits (i.e., openness and extraversion) would influence the relationship between profile picture usage and the life satisfaction of internet users.…”

Psychological Distress and Problematic Mobile Phone Use Among Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Maladaptive Cognitions and the Moderating Role of Effortful Control

“…The findings of our study could be applied to the processes of prevention and intervention: Adolescents with psychological distress and maladaptive cognitions are at higher risk of developing PMPU, and more attention should be paid to them. Meanwhile, targeted interventions that inform instructions to constructively cope with life troubles and psychological distress and to harmoniously integrate online and offline worlds, including self-identify, social relationships and social functions, could be effective in helping vulnerable adolescents to use mobile phones appropriately (Lin et al, 2018). In addition, our findings pertaining to effortful control as an important protective factor that modulates the negative impacts of vulnerabilities could also contribute to preventing adolescents from engaging in PMPU.…”

Digital Outing Confidence as a Mediator in the Digital Behavior Regulation and Internet Content Awareness Relationship

“…Social media addiction or spending too much time using social networks such as Facebook, Instagram (this behavior affecting the social life), is a compulsive behavior of excess using of social media platforms that has negative effects and interferes with other important activities (Lancaster University, 2019). Connecting online rather than offline (which is real and authentic) impacts the mental and emotional health but also the relationships (Lin, Su & Potenza, 2018). The impact on life is large, from interference with routine activities, postponing them, deteriorating or losing relationships until the loss of work or social isolation.…”