Problematic Internet Use (PIU) can be defined as maladaptive cognitions and behaviors involving Internet use that result in negative academic, professional, and social consequences. PIU generally incorporates excessive Internet use (quantity of use considered by participant to exceed normal, usual, planned amount of time online), and compulsive Internet use (inability to control one’s online use). An activity I think could certainly lead to PIU, or at least provide the Internet affordances conducive to PIU, is MSN messenger. MSN (similar to AIM, Skype, etc) allows for synchronous chat between users, as well as a variety of other features such as video, sound, emoticons, “nudging” and so on. It also allows users to add a photo to their profile and provide basic information – or not.
Though MSN is generally just another potential form of communication between friends and/or acquaintances, it may lead to PIU with excessive and compulsive use. Users may become obsessed with their online interactions and friends at the expense of social activities in face-to-face settings. The addition of video could further contribute to misuse. I know of several individuals who enjoy “webcaming”. However, when one leaves their webcam running all of the time for friends in foreign countries, spends weekends webcaming and chatting rather than completing schoolwork, or chooses online interactions on MSN over other social opportunities – there might be a problem. I raise these issues because I have a close friend that often behaves in this manner. Discounting the fact that she swiped my webcam after hers faltered (she considered this an emergency and I have no use for it), I’ve also heard the phrase “not now, I’m caming” a few too many times. Perhaps her stage of misuse hasn’t reached PIU levels just yet, but it certainly lead me to consider MSN use a probable candidate for PIU.
Caplan’s Theory of PIU and Psychosocial well-being (which is circular in nature) suggests that individuals with psychosocial problems hold negative perceptions about their social competence, that these individuals prefer online interaction because it is less threatening and more efficacious, and that this preference leads to excessive and compulsive online interaction – which worsens original psychosocial problems. Caplan’s theory does not necessarily apply to all MSN users, but it is certainly applicable in specific contexts. Lonely individuals, for example, may find solace in online friendship via MSN. Webcaming could make these interactions even more satisfying, yet still easier or less threatening than face-to-face encounters. MSN also encapsulates many of the affordances of Internet interaction associated with PIU. There is a greater sense of anonymity and control (selective self-presentation), and less social responsibility. Thus, MSN could be the path to PIU for individuals already susceptible in terms of Caplan’s Theory. Finally, in relation to Wallace, MSN use might inadvertently integrate operant conditioning, since users presumably don’t know when their friends will be online/available to chat. Misuse could stem from waiting for friends to sign on – the “reward” in a sense.
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1 comment:
Hey Kayla, Nice blog on MSN webcaming as a possible PIU. It sounds like you're frustrated and worried about your friend's usage of MSN, because you mentioned her webcaming having priority over interacting with you.
Do you think that having real-time visual aid alters how it fits into Caplan's Theory? For individuals with high sense of negative social perception, webcaming for extended period of time may be difficult. I liked how you pulled in friend's online availability as operant reward system.
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