Gender differences in internet addiction: A study on variables related to its possible development

• Published in: Computers in human behavior reports Vol. 9; p. 100247
• Main Authors: Mari, Emanuela, Biondi, Silvia, Varchetta, Manuel, Cricenti, Clarissa, Fraschetti, Angelo, Pizzo, Alessandra, Barchielli, Benedetta, Roma, Paolo, Vilar, Manuel Marti, Sala, Francisco Gonzàlez, Giannini, Anna Maria, Quaglieri, Alessandro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Behavioral addiction; Emotional difficulties; Fear of missing out; Gaming; Prosociality; Social media addiction; Fear of missing out; Social media addiction; Emotional difficulties; Gaming; Prosociality; Behavioral addiction
• ISSN: 2451-9588; 2451-9588
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chbr.2022.100247

Internet addiction and its related variables (i.e., internet gaming addiction, social media addiction, fear of missing out, phubbing) have mostly been investigated in the general population without considering possible gender differences. The present study aimed to investigate the specific characteristics of men and women in the possible development of pathological behaviors related to internet addiction. A total of 276 participants (of ages ranging from 18 to 30 years old) were recruited in the study (46.7% were males) and responded to online questionnaires on variables related to internet addiction and psychological traits. The results showed that gender represents a key factor in explaining why individuals are addicted to the internet in different ways. Stepwise linear regression analyses showed that both genders shared social media addiction as the primary predictor of internet addiction but also exclusive predictors for each gender. Knowing the variables underlying the development of internet Addiction can be useful for both prevention and treatment and tailoring intervention for this addictive behavior. •Internet and computer game addiction represent a growing psychosocial health concern.•The increase of internet addiction in the young adults.•There are exclusive predictors for internet addiction between male and female genders.