Differential Predictors of Problematic Internet Use and Problematic Video Gaming Among School Children: A 2-Year Longitudinal Study

Abstract

There have been many debates on whether problematic internet use (PIU) and problematic video gaming (PVG) are overlapping concepts. The present study compared the common and unique predictors of PIU and PVG. School children (N = 1,080) completed a set of questionnaires on their internet use, basic psychological needs satisfaction, sensation seeking, impulsivity, internalizing symptoms, and parental factors (Wave 1). Respondents’ PIU and PVG were assessed 2 years later (Wave 3). Results indicate that PIU and PVG were predicted by impulsiveness, online social comfort, internalizing symptoms, parental attachment, and child’s perceived warmth at home. Age at Wave 1, age of first exposure to the internet, sensation seeking, online self-regulation, and parental communication apprehension were all significant longitudinal predictors of PIU, but not PVG. Parental involvement in media use predicted a decreased likelihood of PVG but not PIU.