Experiences of internet addiction among junior college students in Taiwan: a qualitative descriptive phenomenological study.

Abstract

This study explored the lived experiences of internet addiction among Taiwanese junior college students. Specifically, it examined their perceptions of addiction, experiences of excessive use and attempts to manage their online behaviours. A descriptive phenomenological approach involving one-on-one, semi-structured, in-depth interviews was employed. Data analysis was conducted using Giorgi's phenomenological method assisted by NVivo V.12. The interviewees were from a junior college with two campuses in northern Taiwan. Purposive and snowball sampling of 15 junior college students. All participants met the criteria for internet addiction using the Chen Internet Addiction Scale. Three main themes and eight subthemes were identified: continuous provocation (childhood exposure and unexpected pandemic), continuous promotion (irresistible immersion and compensatory self-isolation) and continuous resistance (varied self-awareness, dilemmas, perceived insignificance and futility). This study also explored how junior college students with internet addiction repeatedly struggle to resist a seamless virtual world. From the perspective of adolescents with internet addiction, early exposure to the internet, the boost of the pandemic, the growing demand, and negative beliefs and attitudes all contribute to the inability to overcome internet addiction. These findings offer valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of internet addiction, providing mental health professionals with a deeper understanding and establishing a foundation for the development of future intervention strategies.