Extraversion as a Mediator in the Relationship between Loneliness and Internet Addiction Tendencies in Adolescents

The internet is able to bring those who are far away, and those who are near, can provide benefits in everyday life. However, excessive use of the internet can also make someone addicted to using the internet. Internet addiction has become a separate risk factor for adolescent. The external factors that often interact with internet addiction, namely feelings of loneliness or loneliness in adolescents and internal factors, namely personality. The purpose of this study was to find out the relationship between loneliness, personality, and internet addiction. This study uses quantitative methods using the UCLA loneliness scale (version 3), Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and Big Five Inventory (BFI) measuring instruments. The participants of this study were 103 adolescents. The results show that extraversion acts as a full mediator in the relationship between loneliness and internet addiction. This can be done when adolescents experience loneliness and is followes by interaction and effort in establishing relationships with other people, so the risk is small for experiencing internet addiction.