Challenges of the Digital Age: The Relationship Between Internet Addiction, Loneliness and Psychological Resilience of University Students

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the correlations among problematic Internet use, social and emotional loneliness, and psychological resilience in university students. Additionally, the study aims to analyze how these associations vary based on the demographic characteristics of the students. The research participants were university students from the Hakkari district in Turkey. The research was conducted utilizing the quantitative research approach. The findings indicate a direct correlation between problematic Internet use and feelings of loneliness, as well as an inverse correlation between problematic Internet use and psychological resilience. Additionally, there is an inverse correlation between psychological resilience and loneliness. Furthermore, it was concluded that the variables of social and emotional loneliness and psychological resilience are strong predictors of problematic Internet use. Simultaneously, the findings show a significant difference between loneliness scores and the amount of time spent online. This validates the hypothesis that the utilization of the Internet can be elevated as a result of experiencing loneliness. In the future, studies conducted across different countries and samples can guide the development of educational programs that not only foster social and mental resilience but also promote responsible Internet use.