Abstract
This article reports the results of a meta-analysis of empirical research on Internet addiction reported in academic journals in Japan. This research especially focuses on the definition and the measurement of Internet addiction.
Searches of CiNii and NDL-OPAC found 53 academic empirical studies including those about mobile-phone, online game and SNS addiction/dependence. The analysis showed that these studies have adopted no standard terminology and their definitions vary widely.
Furthermore, the scales that measured Internet addiction have also been developed differently. Some adopted DSM-IV to the Internet use and others have developed original scales made from open-ended questionnaires. Sample selections and hypotheses regarding causal relationships in the studies have been biased.
This article concludes that clearer construct examinations of Internet addiction are needed in future research.
