Abstract-As the average amount of time spent on the Internet is rapidly increasing, the starting age of Internet users is steadily decreasing. Thus, parents, psychologists, educators, technology creators and lawmakers must become aware of the potential risks and rewards of this phenomenon. In the light of these perspectives, this study aims to investigate the relationships among Internet usage, Internet attitudes and loneliness of Turkish adolescents. A survey method was used for the study and the data were collected by an Internet usage questionnaire, Internet attitudes scale and UCLA loneliness scale. 1049 adolescents completed the questionnaires pertaining to their own internet usage, internet attitudes and feelings of loneliness. At the end of the study, it was revealed that Turkish adolescents’ loneliness was associated with both increased Internet usage and Internet attitudes. Adolescents who reported excessive uses of the Internet for web surfing, instant messaging, emailing and online games had a significantly higher mean score of loneliness than those who did not. In addition, male adolescents reported a higher frequency of Internet usage and more loneliness than females. Male adolescents reported a higher frequency of web surfing and online games than females. However, females reported a higher frequency of e-mailing by Yavuz Erdogan

More in the full article from cyberpsychology journal-A very interesting read in my opinion,only wondering what results can be found in case of adults?

my question is, what is the result of what? Do people get socially isolated because they use internet a lot...or perhaps, people are lonely and that is why they use more internet, simple to find at least another form of contact. I wonder which one is the cause, and which one is the effect

 According to this research the Internet´s use is the result of loneliness and withdrawing from real life social contacts.

I believe it´s a combination of both.  I do believe that the increase of internet usage by our younger generation...not just Turkey but globally can create them to become more socially isolated..I just look around my neighborhood to see that.  Back in the day....now I sound really old.    We use to play outside from sunrise to sundown..You rarely even see kids come out of their house now.  The cause...technology...computer games, internet, email and text messaging.  Even at work at times instead of picking the phone up, I find myself just emailing.  Although technology has created convenience, it has also hindered the personal interaction people use to have.  As a result leading to  loneliness and social isolation.

 I was wondering the same Birdy   

 exactly teas,i grew up as a tomboy,climbing all trees and fences in a neighbourhood,later first commodore entered my life as first communion gift..those who gave it to me did not know for sure what they are doing..anyway

considering things nowadays i would say the more technology we use the less we communicate..sad,isn´t it?

I think the reason you don´t see many children playing outside is because of the fear of child abduction.  Given some of the news lately, it seems to be a well founded fear. Look at the case of poor little 11 year old Jaycee Dugard, Elisabeth Smart...............and sadly a very long list of stolen children.

 perhaps it is the case of the USA,in Europe kids try to enjoy outdoor freedom.In my country those who cannot afford a comp hang around in streets.

 just spotted double post..exaggeration is not a good thing..sorry,must b my net...

goodnight all net addicts))

Kids were being child abducted for years..I think Jaycee´s case it was over 18 years ago.  Maybe there has been a rise, I don´t know since I haven´t researched it.  Most of your neighborhoods have fences enclosed in the backyard.  I just think parents have become then lazier if they can´t find the time to even sit in their backyard and watch their child on a swingset.  Maybe their parents are spending too much time on the internet themselves...