Do Socially Anxious Teens use the Internet More? An Experience Sampling Method Study Exploring Technology Use and Mood

The current study examined mood and internet use in 109 young people (age M = 14.7yrs; 69% female) using Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM) over a 7-day period. Participants were classified as experiencing low or high social anxiety (LSA and HSA) and their mood, internet frequency, and online coping were compared. Young people high in social anxiety reported greater average worry, sadness and loneliness, than low socially anxious young people, who reported greater average happiness. In addition, social anxiety was found to be a positive predictor of online frequency and online coping in young people. Descriptive snapshots were also generated to illustrate the differing mood landscapes and internet use of young people