Investigating links between Internet literacy, Internet use, and Internet addiction among Chinese youth and adolescents in the digital age

Abstract

IntroductionIn current digital era, adolescents’ Internet use has increased exponentially, with the Internet playing a more and more important role in their education and entertainment. However, due to the ongoing cognitive, emotion, and social development processes, youth and adolescents are more vulnerable to Internet addiction. Attention has been paid to the increased use of Internet during the COVID-19 pandemic and the influence of Internet literacy in prevention and intervention of Internet addiction.MethodsThe present study proposes a conceptual model to investigate the links between Internet literacy, Internet use of different purpose and duration, and Internet addiction among Chinese youth and adolescents. In this study, N = 2,276 adolescents studying in primary and secondary schools in East China were recruited, and they completed self-reports on sociodemographic characteristics, Internet literacy scale, Internet use, and Internet addiction scale.ResultsThe results showed a significant relationship between Internet use and Internet addiction. To be specific, the duration of Internet use significantly and positively affected Internet addiction. With different dimensions of Internet literacy required, entertainment-oriented Internet use had positive impact on Internet addiction, while education-oriented Internet use exerted negative effects on Internet addiction. As for Internet literacy, knowledge and skills for Internet (positively) and Internet self-management (negatively) significantly influenced the likelihood of Internet addiction.DiscussionThe findings suggest that Internet overuse increases the risk of Internet addiction in youth and adolescents, while entertainment-oriented rather than education-oriented Internet use is addictive. The role of Internet literacy is complicated, with critical Internet literacy preventing the development of Internet addiction among youth and adolescents, while functional Internet literacy increasing the risk.

Comparing the effectiveness of game literacy education and game coding education in improving problematic internet gaming

“…In our literacy education, session 2 of how to enjoy gaming wisely and session 6 of how to game safely may be associated with increased positive thinking. In previous studies, the improvement of YIAS would support the effectiveness of game literacy on IGD (11)(12)(13).…”

“…The recent inclusion of a unified definition of IGD in the DSM-5 has spurred a notable increase in research on this disorder. There were various approaches, including cognitive behavior therapy, medications, literacy education, and coding education for treating problematic internet use or IGD (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Compared to traditional treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy and medications, game literacy and coding education were considered effective for preventing problematic internet use in large groups of participants by understanding, approaching, interpreting, and evaluating games by considering human factors (10).…”

“…Several studies have applied game literacy and coding education to control internet use patterns (11)(12)(13). Jiang et al (11) reported that internet literacy education, including knowledge and skills for internet self-management, could prevent the risk of problematic internet use. Liu et al (12) also declared that internet literacy education prevented problematic internet use in adolescents.…”

“…Considering these results, we can suggest that both educations effectively improve problematic internet use. The reduction in the YIAS score could represent the improvement in problematic internet use patterns (11)(12)(13)21).…”

Examining the association of family environment and children emotional/behavioral difficulties in the relationship between parental anxiety and internet addiction in youth

“…Spending more time at home has resulted in increased usage of electronic devices. For adolescents with weaker self-management abilities, this newfound opportunity may be utilized for recreational activities, potentially reinforcing their reliance on the internet ( 5 , 6 ). These changes may intensify adolescents’ propensity for internet usage, rendering them more vulnerable to the perils of internet addiction.…”