Is the Internet to blame for problem behaviours in early adolescents? The effects of different types of Internet use, depression, and self-control

Yuanyi Mao, Bo Hu and Ki Joon Kim

Behaviour and Information Technology, 2025, vol. 44, issue 9, 1975-1989

Abstract: This study explored the relationships between three types of Internet use (i.e. educational, socialising, and entertainment) and externalising behaviours in early adolescents. Using a representative sample of early adolescents in China (N = 819, Mage = 11.76), the result revealed that the indirect effect of educational Internet use on externalising behaviours was serially mediated by depression and self-control. Meanwhile, entertainment Internet use was found to be indirectly associated with a higher level of externalising behaviour via self-control. Last, socialising Internet use was found to have no effect on externalising behaviours and the two mediators. Theoretical implications for Internet use and externalising behaviours, as well as practical implications for problematic behaviour interventions are discussed.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/0144929X.2024.2391876

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