Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Instant Messaging Addiction Among Teenagers: Abstracting from the Chinese Experience

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Addiction Medicine

Abstract

Instant messaging is popular among teenagers in China and has become an important and favorite computer-mediated communication activity. Nevertheless, little research has been done to understand teenagers’ instant messaging abuse in China. Using Young’s classical definition of Internet addiction, it was estimated from a cohort of 330 teenagers in a typical middle school in China in 2007 that 95.8% used instant messaging, and 9.8% of them could be classified as being instant messaging addicts. Four major symptoms of instant messaging addiction among teenagers were identified: “preoccupation with instant messaging”, “loss of relationships due to overuse”, “loss of control”, and “escape”. Also, greater shyness and alienation from family, peers, and school were associated with a higher likelihood and severity of instant messaging addiction. As expected, increasing levels of instant messaging use and addiction were associated significantly with lower academic performance among teenagers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 299.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. American Psychiatric Association (1994) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, 4th edn. American Psychiatric Association, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  2. Anderson K (1999, August) Internet use among college students: should we be concerned? Paper presented at the American Psychological Association, Boston, MA

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bambooweb Dictionary. Instant messaging. http://www.bambooweb.com/articles/i/n/Instant_Messenger.html. Accessed 25 June 2008

  4. Barber A (1997) Net’s educational value questioned, USA Today, p 4D

    Google Scholar 

  5. Beard KW (2002) Internet addiction: current status and implications for employees. J Employ Coun 39:2–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Beard KW, Wolf EM (2001) Modification in proposed diagnostic criteria for Internet addiction. CyberPsychol Behav 8(1):39–51

    Google Scholar 

  7. Breakthrough Youth Research Archives (2000) http://www.breakthrough.org.hk/ir/researchlog.htm. Accessed 25 June 2008

  8. Brenner V (1997) The results of an on-line survey for the first thirty days. Paper presented at the 105th annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL, 18 August 1997

    Google Scholar 

  9. Bronfenbrenner U (1986) Alienation and the four worlds of childhood. Phi Delta Kappan 67(6):430–436

    Google Scholar 

  10. Caplan SE (2003) Preference for online social interaction: a theory of problematic internet use and psychosocial well-being. Commun Res 30:625–648

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Chak K, Leung L (2004) Shyness and locus of control as predictors of internet addiction and internet use. CyberPsychol Behav 7(5):559–570

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Cheuk WS, Chan ZCY (2007) ICQ (I seek you) and adolescents: a quantitative study in Hong Kong. CyberPsychol Behav 10(1):108–114

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Chung D, Nam CS (2007) An analysis of the variables predicting instant messenger use. N Media Soc 9(2):212–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. CNNIC (2006) The survey report on Chinese instant message market 2006. http://www.cnnic.cn/html/Dir/2006/12/27/4367.htm. Accessed 25 June 2008

  15. CNNIC (2007) The 21st statistical survey report on internet development in China. http://www.cnnic.cn/uploadfiles/pdf/2008/2/29/104126.pdf. Accessed 25 June 2008

  16. Coleman JS (1960) The adolescent subculture and academic achievement. Am J Sociol 65:337–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Griffiths MD (1996) Gambling on the internet: a brief note. J Gambl Stud 12:471–473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Griffiths MD (1998) Internet addiction: does it really exist? In: Gackenbach J (ed) Psychology and the internet: intrapersonal, interpersonal, and transpersonal applications. Academic, New York

    Google Scholar 

  19. Griffiths MD (2000) Does internet and “addiction” exist? Some case study evidence. CyberPsychol Behav 3:211–218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Griffiths MD, Hunt N (1998) Dependence on computer games by adolescents. Psychol Rep 82:475–480

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery at Proctor Hospital and BroMenn Regional Medical Center (2003) What is internet addiction? http://www.internetaddiction.ca/index.htm. Accessed 25 June 2008

  22. Isaacs E, Walendowski A, Whittaker S et al (2002) The character, functions, and styles of instant messaging in the workplace, paper presented at the computer supported cooperative work, New Orleans, LA

    Google Scholar 

  23. Jackson A, Samona R, Moomaw J et al (2007) What children do on the internet: domains visited and their relationship to socio-demographic characteristics and academic performance. CyberPsychol Behav 10(2):182–190

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Jackson A, von Eye A, Biocca F et al (2006) Does home internet use influence the academic performance of low-income children? Dev Psychol 42(3):429–435

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Jansen E, Clafton S (1998) You’ve gotta help me, doc! Bus Rev Wkly 20(25):94

    Google Scholar 

  26. Jones WH, Carpenter BN (1986) Shyness, social behavior, and relationships. In: Jones WH, Cheek JM, Briggs SR (eds) Shyness: perspectives on research and treatment. Plenum, New York, pp 227–249

    Google Scholar 

  27. Kraut R, Patterson M, Lundmark V et al (1998) Internet paradox: a social technology that reduces social involvement and psychological well-being? Am Psychol 53:1017–1031

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Kubey R, Lavin MJ, Barrows JR (2001) Internet use and collegiate academic performance decrements: early findings. J Commun 51(2):366–382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Lazarus PJ (1982) Incidence of shyness in elementary-school age children. Psychol Rep 51:904–906

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Lemon J (2002) Can we call behaviors addictive? Clin Psychol 6:44–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Lenhart A, Rainie L, Lewis O (2001) Teenage life online (report). Pew Internet & American Life Project, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  32. Leung L (2001) College student motives for chatting on ICQ. N Media Soc 3(4):483–500

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Leung L (2002) Loneliness, self-disclosure, and ICQ use. CyberPsychol Behav 5(3):241–251

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Leung L (2004) Net-generation attributes and seductive properties of the internet as predictors of online activities and internet addiction. Cyber Psychol Behav 7(3):333–348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Mau RY (1992) The validity and devolution of a concept: student alienation. Adolescence 27(107):731–741

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. McKenna KYA, Green AS, Gleason MEJ (2002) Relationship formation on the Internet. What’s the big attraction? J Soc Issues 58(1):9–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Morahan-Martin J (1997) Incidence and correlates of pathological internet use. Paper presented at the 105th annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL, 18 August 1997

    Google Scholar 

  38. Oetting E, Donnermeyer JF (1998) Primary socialization theory: the etiology of drug use and deviance, Vol. I. Subst Use & Misuse 33:995–1026

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Orford J (2001) Excessive appetites: a psychological view of addictions, 2nd edn. Wiley, Chichester, UK

    Google Scholar 

  40. Parrott L (2000) Helping the struggling adolescent: a guide to thirty-six common problems for counselors, pastors, and youth workers. Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI

    Google Scholar 

  41. Pauleen DJ, Yoong P (2001) Facilitating virtual team relationships via internet and conventional communication channels. Internet Res: Electronic Net Appl Policy 11(3):190–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Pilkonis PA (1977) Shyness, public and private, and its relationship to other measures of social behavior. J Personal 45:585–595

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Pilkonis PA (1977) The behavioral consequences of shyness. J Personal 45:596–611

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Ramirez AJ, Broneck K (2003) IM me: instant messaging as relational maintenance and everyday communication. Paper presented at the International Communication Association, San Diego, CA

    Google Scholar 

  45. Roberts LD, Smith LM, Pollock CM (2000) “U r a lot bolder on the net”: shyness and internet use. In: Crozier WR (ed) Shyness: development, consolidation and change. Routledge Farmer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  46. Roe K (1992) Different Destinies—different melodies: school achievement, anticipated status and adolescents’ tastes in music. Eur J Commun 7:335–358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Scherer K (1997) College life online: healthy and unhealthy internet use. J Coll Life Dev 38(6):655–665

    Google Scholar 

  48. Scherer K, Bost J (1997) Internet use patterns: is there internet dependency on campus? Presented at the 105th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL, 18 August 1997

    Google Scholar 

  49. Shaffer HJ (1996) Understanding the means and objects of addiction: technology, the internet and gambling. J Gambl Stud 12:461–469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Shotton MA (1989) Computer addiction? A study of computer dependency. Taylor & Francis, London

    Google Scholar 

  51. Slater MD (2003) Alienation, aggression, and sensation seeking as predictors of adolescent use of violent film, computer, and website content. J Commun 53(1):105–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Slater MD, Henry KL, Swaim RC, Cardador JM (2004) Vulnerable teens, vulnerable times: how sensation seeking, alienation, and victimization moderate the violent media content-aggressiveness relation. Commun Res 31(6):642–668

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Stritzke WGK, Nguyen A, Durkin K (2004) Shyness and computer-mediated communication: a self-presentational theory perspective. Media Psychol 6:1–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Sugarman B (1967) Involvement in youth culture, academic achievement and conformity in school. Br J Sociol 18:151–164

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Valentine G, Holloway S (2001) On-line dangers? Geographies of parents’ fear for children’s safety in cyberspace. Prof Geogr 53:71–83

    Google Scholar 

  56. Ward CC, Tracey TG (2004) Relation of shyness with aspects of online relationship involvement. J Soc Pers Relat 21(5):611–623

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Wellman B (1996) An electronic group is virtually a social network. In: Kiesler S (ed) Research milestones on the information highway. Lawrence Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  58. Williams KD, Cheung CKT, Choi W (2000) Cyberostracism: effects of being ignored over the internet. J Personal Soc Psychol 79(5):748–762

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Young KS (1996) Psychology of computer use: XL. Addictive use of the internet. A case that breaks the stereotype. Psychol Rep 79:899–902

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Young KS (1998) Internet addiction: the emergence of a new clinical disorder. CyberPsychol Behav 1:237–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Young KS (1999) Internet addiction: symptoms, evaluation, and treatment. In: VandeCreek L, Jackson T (eds) Innovations in clinical practice: a source book, vol 17. Professional Resource, Sarasota, FL

    Google Scholar 

  62. Yuen CN, Lavin MJ (2004) Internet dependence in the collegiate population: the role of shyness. CyberPsychol Behav 7(4):379–383

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Zimbardo PG, Pilkonis PA, Norwood RM (1975) The social disease called shyness. Psychol Today 8:68–72

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Journalism & Communication, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong

    Hanyun Huang

  2. Center for Communication Research, School of Journalism & Communication, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong

    Louis Leung

Authors
  1. Hanyun Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Louis Leung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Louis Leung .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Depts Psychiat & Neurobehav Sciences, Me, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, 22908, Virginia, USA

    Bankole A. Johnson

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Huang, H., Leung, L. (2010). Instant Messaging Addiction Among Teenagers: Abstracting from the Chinese Experience. In: Johnson, B. (eds) Addiction Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0338-9_33

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0338-9_33

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-0337-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-0338-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation