A Systematic Research Review of Internet Addiction and Identity

Abstract

A small but growing body of research documents how internet misuse can lead to negative outcomes for individuals. One particularly important area of public concern is the connection between addictive internet usage and human identity. This study addressed the connection between excessive internet use on real-world and virtual-world identity. This systematic research review synthesized research studies conducted between 2008 to 2018 on the influence of internet addiction on identity. Findings revealed that the majority of published studies focused on young individuals aged 9-30 years old (89%) and that the connection between excessive internet use on real-world identity and virtual-world identity was complex and multi-faceted. Online gaming addiction was identified as a leading theme within the published research (30%). Based on study findings, recommendations are made for greater future research attention to internet addiction among adults, comprehensive studies of the relationship between online and offline identity to internet addiction, and the inclusion of internet addiction as a multifaceted disorder in future editions of DSM, which includes online gaming addiction among other forms of online addiction.