Abstract:

This study explored the effect of peer context on their internet addiction. 475 college students (Grade 2-4) of 12 classes were assessed with the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale’s revision (CIAS-R) and peer nomination method was used to draw the peer relationship network. Result：(1) boys are more likely than girls to be in the center of peer groups and to be closer to others. (2) standardization in-closeness centrality could negatively predict internet addiction. That is  the more the individual is in the center of the interpersonal network, the less prone to internet addiction. (3) The level of internet addiction of peer group could negatively predict adolescents’ internet addiction, and the moderating effect of individual interpersonal network characteristics on peer contagion of internet addiction is not significant. Indicating that, regardless of the individual's social status, there is no significant difference in peer influence of internet addiction. Conclusion: Peer relationship is the protective factor of individual internet addiction. And internet addiction has peer contagion effect.

Key words: internet addiction, peer contagion, social network analysis