Work

Association between Internet use and adolescent behavioral development: a cross-lagged regression study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Promotive behavior refers to actions that facilitate individuals' efforts to surmount obstacles and proactively pursue their goals, thereby fostering adaptive functioning and positive development. In contrast, prohibitive behavior refers to harmful or otherwise maladaptive actions that may hinder individuals' personal growth and developmental outcomes. This study aims to explore the possible causal relationship between Internet use behavior and adolescent behavioral development, including promotive behavior and prohibitive behavior. There were 9,132 students' data that were analyzed, and cross-lagged regression analysis was used to study causal relationships between two or more variables that change over time. Data were collected at two time points: T1 (2013-2014) and T2 (2014-2015), with an interval of approximately 1 year between the two waves. Results indicated a negative correlation between Internet use behavior and promotive behavior at points-in-time T1 and T2, while a positive relationship was observed between Internet use behavior and prohibitive behavior at both time points. Findings suggest that reducing problematic Internet use among adolescents contributes to the development of healthy behaviors, and active and healthy adolescent behaviors can in turn reduce their problematic Internet use.

Source: Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience

DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2025.1654194

Authors: Desheng Yan, Lei Qi, Yao Chen, Guangming Li

Institutions: Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou Teachers College, South China Normal University

Language: English

Topic: Impact of Technology on Adolescents

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801