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Perceived problems with computer gaming and Internet use are associated with poorer social relations in adolescence

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objectives

Young people’s engagement in electronic gaming and Internet communication have caused concerns about potential harmful effects on their social relations, but the literature is inconclusive. The aim of this paper was to examine whether perceived problems with computer gaming and Internet communication are associated with young people’s social relations.

Methods

Cross-sectional questionnaire survey in 13 schools in the city of Aarhus, Denmark, in 2009. Response rate 89 %, n = 2,100 students in grades 5, 7, and 9. Independent variables were perceived problems related to computer gaming and Internet use, respectively. Outcomes were measures of structural (number of days/week with friends, number of friends) and functional (confidence in others, being bullied, bullying others) dimensions of student’s social relations.

Results

Perception of problems related to computer gaming were associated with almost all aspects of poor social relations among boys. Among girls, an association was only seen for bullying. For both boys and girls, perceived problems related to Internet use were associated with bullying only.

Conclusions

Although the study is cross-sectional, the findings suggest that computer gaming and Internet use may be harmful to young people’s social relations.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Poul Lundsgaard Bak, Henriette Hansen, Sheila Terp, and Anette Østergaard from the City of Aarhus for their important contribution to the planning of the study and data collection. We thank the Nordea Foundation (Grant number 02-2011-0122) and The Danish Council for Independent Research (09-065450) for financial support to the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353, Copenhagen K, Denmark

    Mette Rasmussen, Charlotte Riebeling Meilstrup, Pernille Bendtsen, Trine Pagh Pedersen, Line Nielsen, Katrine Rich Madsen & Bjørn E. Holstein

Authors
  1. Mette Rasmussen
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  2. Charlotte Riebeling Meilstrup
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  3. Pernille Bendtsen
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  4. Trine Pagh Pedersen
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  5. Line Nielsen
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  6. Katrine Rich Madsen
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  7. Bjørn E. Holstein
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mette Rasmussen.

Additional information

This article is part of the special issue “Communication Technology, Media Use and the Health of Our Kids”.

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Rasmussen, M., Meilstrup, C.R., Bendtsen, P. et al. Perceived problems with computer gaming and Internet use are associated with poorer social relations in adolescence. Int J Public Health 60, 179–188 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-014-0633-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-014-0633-z

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