Abstract:

Using modern technologies is a common feature of today’s world. The Internet has become an indispensable instrument, which often plays a key role in work-related activities. It has also become part of people’s leisure time. Since the 1990s, internet addiction has attracted the professional as well as the general public across the globe. There is no uniform terminology and definition in the literature. In general, addiction to the Internet is defined as the excessive use of the Internet, which brings psychological, social, work or school complications to life. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship of self-esteem and anxiety with Internet addiction in pre-service teachers. The participants were 558 pre-service teachers aged 19-26. To determine the empirical data we used the following research methods: Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Young Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Scale of fear and Social anxiety (KSAT) and Sociodemographic Questionnaire. A significant negative relationship was found between age, self-esteem, and internet addiction among social network users. A significant positive relationship was confirmed between anxiety and internet addiction. Gender differences were identified in anxiety and internet addiction as well.

Keywords:

Internet addiction, self-esteem, anxiety.