Problematic internet use, loneliness and social support among adolescents in Slovenia

Abstract

Purpose: We wanted to investigate problematic internet use, experiences  of loneliness and the effect of social support among adolescents in Slovenian primary schools.

Method: In a sample of young people from the last three years at  primary schools in Slovenia (aged 13-15 ), we showed statistically significant relationships between problematic internet use, loneliness and social support. We showed differences in gender, place of residence, class attended and daily time spent on the internet.

Results: The more lonely the adolescent and the less social support they have, the more they use  the internet and vice versa. Differences in problematic internet use, loneliness and family support according to place of residence have not been confirmed, but problematic internet use and loneliness differ statistically significantly by gender, boys on average using the internet less than girls and feeling less lonely on average than girls. Problematic use of the internet differs according to the different level of the class attended only if we take into account the effect of gender. The experience of loneliness differs statistically significantly according to the daily time spent by adolescents on the internet. There is a difference between the group where adolescents spend 3 to 5 hours a day online and the group where they spend less than 1 hour a day on the internet.

Conclusion: The risk factor for problematic internet use is the loneliness of adolescents, which is more evident among girls, while protection against problematic internet use is found in social support, especially family support.