The relationship of use of the Internet and loneliness among college students

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between Internet use and loneliness among college students, with Internet use defined as e-mail, World-Wide Web and Usenet. The study took place at a mid-sized, Catholic, private university in the northeastern region of the United States. Three hundred and two residential students, representing the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes participated in the study.;The study participants completed two surveys; one which included demographic and Internet use questions, the Internet Related Addictive Behavior Checklist. The second survey, the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, included questions related to social isolation. Analyses were conducted to evaluate relationships between several variables, including demographic and survey results.;The results of this study were varied. The results did support the major study hypothesis that there is a significant correlation between loneliness and Internet use. These results are supported by current research which suggests a direct correlation between Internet use and loneliness. The present study results indicated that students' use of the Internet is in line with national reports on Internet use across the nation. The students' type of use of the Internet is also consistent with national reports, which indicate that Internet use is primarily personal in nature.;There was a slightly higher level of loneliness among males than females. Males also reported a statistically significant higher degree of Internet use than females. There was a significant correlation between Internet use and loneliness among males. The results indicate that the technology of the Internet on college campuses and its uses are still evolving and will merit further study.