Problematic Internet Use, Online Racism, and Mental Health Issues Among Racially Minoritized Emerging Adults in the United States

Abstract

AbstractProblematic internet use has been linked with numerous mental health issues. However, little research has examined the relevant factors that may explain this association. For racially minoritized individuals, problematic internet use may increase the likelihood of encountering race-based cyberaggression and racist content, commonly known as online racism. Thus, we examined whether problematic internet use is associated with mental health issues through exposure to online racism. Using data from 338 racially minoritized emerging adults (Mage = 23.28, SD = 2.38), we conducted a path analysis of problematic internet use predicting mental health issues (anxiety, depressive symptoms, loneliness) via online racism. The indirect relationship was significant suggesting that problematic internet use is associated with greater perceived online racism, which in turn was associated with greater depressive symptoms, anxiety, and loneliness. Online racism is likely a digital inequity that disproportionately impacts the costs of problematic internet use among racially minoritized emerging adults.