Problematic internet users' skin conductance and anxiety increase after exposure to the internet

Abstract

Introduction: To examine the impact of cessation of an internet session on skin conductance responses and anxiety of higher and lower problem internet users, in order to explore possible physiological withdrawal effects.

Method: Participants were measured in terms of their skin conductance before (15min), during (15min), and after (15min) an internet session, and completed self-report measures of state anxiety and problematic internet use.

Results: Higher, but not lower, problem users showed increased skin conductance after internet use was stopped, relative to before their internet session. Higher problem users' GSR scores increased, as the time from internet cessation became longer. Higher problem users also showed increased levels of anxiety, following their internet session, which correlated with their skin conductance scores.

Conclusions: These results suggest that, following termination of an internet session, withdrawal-like effects are seen, both psychologically and physiologically.

Keywords: Anxiety; Physiological and psychological; Problematic internet use; Skin conductance; Withdrawal.