Beyond Excessive Use: The Interaction between Cognitive and Behavioral Symptoms of Problematic Internet Use

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that problematic Internet use involves more than simply an excessive amount of time spent online. Participants completed self-report measures of excessive Internet use, cognitive preoccupation with the Internet, and the extent to which they experienced negative outcomes due to their Internet use. Results revealed that the association between excessive Internet use and its negative outcomes is moderated by cognitive preoccupation. The results illustrate the usefulness of including cognitive variables in studies of problematic Internet use rather than relying solely on variables measuring Internet consumption.