because online interactions lack the physical interaction in an non-online relationship, the

online relationships lead to a lower self-happiness (Harmon,1998).

According Kim, Y. , 2010-08-13 “How peers affect adolescents’ computer on-line

game addiction in South Korea?”, online computer games have become a peer culture

among juveniles in South Korea since 1990’s, and even have promoted several social

issues: computer on-line game addiction. Unlike previous research, which focused on

psychological factors, this study examined computer on-line game addiction based on

social perspective: how peers directly and indirectly affect adolescent’s computer on-line

game addiction. A self designed survey method was employed and the analysis were

made based on the application of three influential theories: differential association theory

(Sutherland) for solidarity with peer; social learning theory (Akers) for peer pressure; and

flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi) for mediating factor between social factors and computer

game addiction as measuring attitude toward on-line computer game. The results show

peer solidarity works as protective network to prevent adolescents from addicting to

computer on-line game, and peer game pressure have direct and indirect effect

adolescent’s computer on-line game addiction.

Conceptual Framework

Computer addiction refers to the excessive amounts of time spent on the

computer. The preoccupation can cause problems with relationships and even with work

performance. The time spent on the computer does not refer to work related activities.
 Many times the root cause of computer addiction like many other forms of

addiction is mood disorder and/or relationship disorder. Depression, boredom, social

anxiety or dysfunctional family may lead a person to find a “cure” in something that’s

non-threatening.

Computer addiction can be devastating to a person’s life. Relationships can be

destroyed, grades can slip, and careers can be lost all due to computer addiction.

Computer addiction is striking all kinds of people, adhering to no boundaries of age, race

gender, or income. Computer addicts spend their time playing video games while others

will gamble, chat online, surf the internet, or frequent social networking sites and forums.

These activities are generally unobtrusive in moderation, but a computer addict will

perform these activities for hours a day, neglecting all most responsibilities. As with any

other type of addiction, prevention of computer addiction is the best medicine.

Conceptual Paradigm

Deterioration of
Depression social /family
relationships

Boredom Computer
Addiction Deterioration in
work/school
performance
Social Anxiety

Reduced Attention to
personal hygiene

Altered sleep