Social Anxiety and the Internet: Positive and Negative Effects

Abstract

The present study sought to partially replicate the Erwin et al. (2004) study of positive and negative Internet effects. The participants were 37 individuals who met the clinical criteria for social anxiety disorder. The Internet effects were explored in relation to the severity of social anxiety and the length of time spent online. The results both confirmed and disconfirmed aspects of the original Erwin et al. results, indicating both positive and negative Internet effects. The findings are discussed in relation to the contradictory research literature that has investigated social anxiety and emotional disturbance on the Internet.