Exposure to nature may protect adolescents from developing Internet addictionCompulsive use of screen-based technologies can lead to an Internet addiction which has negative implications for adolescents' mental health. This study examined how exposure to nature “can mitigate adolescent Internet addiction by influencing the internal states and behaviors that contribute to this addiction.” In investigating the relationship between nature exposure and Internet addiction, the researchers considered how an emotional connection with nature, specifically feelings of awe and anthropomorphism of nature, might influence Internet use.
Questionnaires were administered to 1,469 middle school students (age 13-15 years), including 688 boys and 781 girls, in Zhejiang Province, China. Participants completed questionnaires in their classrooms during a single class period. The questionnaires consisted of multiple self-report subscales to assess: (1) nature exposure experience using the Nature Exposure Scale; (2) anthropomorphism of nature (attributing human-like qualities to nature) with the Natural Anthropomorphism Questionnaire; (3) feelings of awe towards nature with the Dispositional Positive Emotion Scales; and (4) Internet addiction using the Adolescents' Problem Internet Use Questionnaire. Participants also self-reported demographic information, including gender, age, ethnic group, family economic status, weekly time spent using a smartphone, and monthly nature exposure. Responses were scored and analyzed quantitatively.
Results demonstrated significant relationships between nature exposure, anthropomorphism of nature, awe, and Internet addiction. A direct effect of nature exposure on Internet addiction was observed, in which participants with more nature exposure were significantly less likely to exhibit Internet addiction than those with lower levels of nature exposure. Awe was found to significantly contribute to this relationship by providing a pathway between nature exposure and Internet addiction, suggesting that experiences in nature which induce a sense of awe may be important in reducing Internet addiction. The authors suggest that awe can shift teens' focus away from the superficial and the immediately gratifying and towards a broader perspective, reducing the attractiveness of the Internet. On the other hand, anthropomorphism of nature was not found to significantly influence the relationship between nature exposure and Internet addiction. However, analysis found that combined together, anthropomorphism of nature and awe provided a significant link in the relationship between nature exposure and Internet addiction. This finding suggests “that nature exposure leads to anthropomorphism of nature, which in turn can induce awe, ultimately reducing Internet addiction."
Overall, the study revealed that “the mitigating effects of nature exposure” may serve “as a protective factor against Internet addiction.” Therefore, regular engagement with nature may help prevent adolescents from developing an Internet addiction. In particular, awe-inspiring experiences in nature may be especially impactful. Further research is needed to examine nature’s impact on Internet use through experimental designs. Additionally, because this study was conducted in a highly forested region, future research should examine the experiences of adolescents living in different environmental settings.
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