INTERNET ADDICTION AND YOUTH SELF-ESTEEM WITH LIFE SATISFACTION

Internet addiction is a relatively new phenomenon, little understood and described in the literature of the subject as well as recognized in practice. Meanwhile, in recent years, the number of people addicted to the Internet is increasing, especially in the group of adolescents. People addicted to the Internet concentrate their activity around being on the web. This results in a decrease in the effectiveness of learning, direct relationships with family and peers in favor of virtual contacts. The effects of excessive Internet use also affect the deterioration of health (Kozak 2007, Augustynek, 2010, Muchacki 2013). Loss of control over Internet activity is also associated with such problems as low self-esteem and self-acceptance, deepening social isolation, lack of self-confidence (Young 1996, Wallace 2003, Woronowicz, 2009). Recently, researchers have been interested in the relationship between quality of life and the use of new technologies (Gałkowski 2003, Leszczyńska 2006). This topic requires continuing research because there is no agreement among researchers about whether the use of the Internet causes an increase or decrease in the sense of quality of life.

Therefore, the aim of this research was to show the links between self-assessment of quality and life satisfaction and Internet addiction in adolescents. In order to check whether there are compounds in these areas, tests were conducted using the Internet Addiction Test K. Young and with the use of own design Youth quality self-assessment questionnaires. The research covered a group of young people aged 16-18, with 198 people in a large city, including 102 women and 96 men.

Initial results showed that Internet addiction is associated with lower self-esteem of the quality of life among adolescent group under study. There are differences in some dimensions of perceived quality of life between addicted and non-addicted youth in terms of contentment and satisfaction with life, relationships with parents and peers, interests and hobbies.

Conclusions resulting from the conducted research have practical applicability. They can be used to create preventive programs for early action to make children and young people aware of the risks that this new medium can bring.