Networks of digital addiction symptoms: Network Analysis (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Digital addiction can cause significant impairments in health. Previous studies have reported high prevalence rate of digital addiction, encompassing subtypes such as internet addiction, game addiction, social media addiction, and game addiction. However, empirical investigation of the associations and differences among various digital addiction remains necessary. Additionally, identifying core symptoms among digital addiction would enhance our understanding of their different types. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to explore the comorbidity between the four digital addiction subtypes and conducted a network analysis to comprehensively analyze the interrelationships, core symptoms among digital addiction subtypes. METHODS This was a cross-sectional online survey conducted in China. The participants were 16−28 years old (n = 1764; 75. 7% women). Four subtypes (internet addiction, social media addiction, smartphone addiction, and game addiction) of digital addiction were identified according to Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU) scale, Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS), and Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short-Form (IGDS9-SF), respectively. Network analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between four subtypes. RESULTS Significant comorbidity was observed among subtypes (95. 35%). Network analysis identified key nodes such as PSMU6 (Conflict) and IAT (total score) with high predictability and centrality. Nodes like IGD9SF8 (Escape) and SABAS3 (Mood modification) served as bridges symptoms. Causal inference suggested the dominant role of smartphone addiction, which cause social media addiction and internet addiction, leading to game addiction in further. CONCLUSIONS The significant comorbidity implies that individuals who exhibit addiction tendencies in one area are likely to manifest addictive behaviors in other digital domains as well. This interconnectedness suggests a common underlying vulnerability or predisposition towards addictive behaviors in the digital realm. And excessive smartphone usage may serve as a catalyst, triggering addictive behaviors across other digital platforms. In conclusion, this research highlights the interconnected nature of digital addiction and the influential role of smartphone addiction as a precursor to other forms of digital addiction.