ABSTRACT
Over the last decade, psychological research has made it evident that Internet-related activities have considerable effects on people’s mental and social lives. By considering “Internet use” as a one-dimensional construct, early studies posited that Internet use has paradoxical consequences for people’s well-being. Although Internet use had been thought to enhance communication, information seeking, and computer-based competence and thus was able to foster social involvement and support, it turned out to be a way of leaving people isolated, stressed, and depressed (Kraut et al. 1998). Although follow-up studies showed that the initial effects dissipated over time (Kraut et al. 2002), further research corroborated the recurrent presence of some of those problematic consequences (Ybarra, Alexander, and Mitchell 2005). This negative impact of Internet use on people’s psychological well-being was contrasted, though, with more positive appraisals, particularly those showing that Internet-based activities also provide personal gratifications or positive outcomes in relation to fun, entertainment, social interaction, and relaxing activities pursued by most Internet users (LaRose, Mastro, and Eastin 2001).
