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Methods to Test Visual Attention Online
Published on: February 19, 2015
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Is excessive online usage a function of medium or activity? An empirical pilot study.
Mark D Griffiths1, Attila Szabo2
1Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Journal of Behavioral Addictions
|September 13, 2014
Summary
Excessive internet use is linked to specific online activities, not general internet browsing. Social networking is the most popular activity, suggesting focused online behaviors drive excessive use.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Internet Studies
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Excessive internet use is a growing concern.
- It remains unclear whether excessive internet use is general or activity-specific.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether online medium or specific online activities are more critical in excessive internet use.
- To understand the drivers behind prolonged internet engagement.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 130 university students (mean age 20.6 years) with average 20+ hours/week internet use for 9+ years.
- Assessed perceived changes in internet use based on hypothetical site accessibility.
- Investigated favorite online activities and perceived quality of life without internet access.
Main Results:
- Social networking identified as the most popular online activity.
- Lack of access to preferred activities predicted a 65% drop in perceived internet usage.
- 16% of participants would not use computers if favorite activities were inaccessible.
Conclusions:
- Internet usage time is not random but focused on specific activities.
- Attraction or addiction to specific online behaviors better explains excessive internet use.
- Understanding specific online behaviors is key to addressing problematic internet use.
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