Abstract

Aim: Internet addiction in adolescents has become an issue of concern for a growing number of researchers and institutions over the recent years. Communicational problems and social isolation are some of the consequences of psychological and behavioural impact on students. This study aimed to investigate correlation between internet addiction with social anxiety and loneliness. Material and Method: The sample consisted of 220 college students (118 female and 102 male, aged (15-19) from the Yasuj high schools. The Internet Addiction Test, Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) and social and emotional loneliness scale for adults (SELSA-S) were employed in the collection of data. Pearson correlation, regression analysis, and the t-test were used for data analysis. Results: results revealed a significant positive correlation between social anxiety, social loneliness, romantic loneliness and family loneliness with Internet addiction. Furthermore, social anxiety and romantic loneliness were found to be significant predictors of Internet addiction. Social anxiety which accounted for 10% of the variance, was the best predictor, followed by romantic loneliness (5%) and social loneliness (2%). Discussion: This research suggests that socially anxious and lonelier individuals are particularly susceptible to problematic internet use. This vulnerability may relate to the perception of online communication as a safer means of interacting, due to providing anonymity, improved sense of social control and decreased risk of negative evaluation, social fears and social rejection.