THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF RESEARCHING THE MOTIVATION OF USING SOCIAL NETWORKS POTENTIAL ADDICTS OF DIFFERENT AGE

Abstract

Internal motivation is a key in various social studies, for such as compulsive internet use, or internet addiction. Various theories of motivation are employed to predict the influence of motivation on a person’s predisposition to excessive involvement in social networks. The similarity between the issue of internet addiction and gambling or substance dependencies makes the methods of addictology effective for analyzing problematic network use. Internet addiction is often a comorbid condition among individuals with alcohol dependence or substance use disorders. Key differences have also been analyzed in addition to common trends in the connections between an individual’s motivational sphere and the development of problematic internet use. The main driving forces behind excessive internet use change significantly with age, depend on gender, and serve as potentially reliable predictive criteria for determining the risk of dependent behavior.

Since excessive internet use can significantly affect behavior, mental state, and social interactions, this article examines the current state of the self-motivation in internet addiction problem both in Ukraine and worldwide. The author reviews the theoretical foundations and practical research addressing the challenges our society faces due to the changing forms of communication and the evolving conditions for information technologies. A number of theories was mentioned in connection with motives of internet-dependent individuals — peculiarities that have become crucial and warrant further study: age and gender, along with factors such as cultural characteristics, shape needs and suggest pathways for guiding individuals out of a crisis state.

Overall, younger users are driven by motives such as self-expression, emotional release, social contacts, and gaming. In middle age, a higher percentage of internet-dependent women are addicted to social networks, whereas among men in the same age group, the inclination toward gaming prevails. Representatives of older age groups generally use online platforms to maintain contact with loved ones and to seek information. Thus, the motivational profiles of social network users show significant age differences, undelining the necessity of considering the specific needs and motivation of different age categories when analyzing the problem of internet addiction.