Abstract:

In this study, it is aimed to investigate the relationship between the internet addiction and virtual environment loneliness level of university students. The study group of the research consists of 280 students studying at different faculties of a foundation university in Istanbul. The Internet Addiction Scale and the Virtual Environment Loneliness Scale were used as a data collection tool in the study. According to the results of the study, it was determined that the internet addiction levels were generally moderate, the levels of loss of control and desire to stay online were moderate, and the levels of negativity in social relations were low.  Furthermore, the virtual socialization levels of university students were determined to be “moderate”, virtual sharing levels “low”, virtual loneliness levels and total virtual environment loneliness “moderate”. The loss of control, staying online, negativity in social relations, the sub-dimensions of the internet addiction are significantly associated with the Virtual Environment Loneliness Levels of students. These three variables together explain 26% of the variance in the virtual environment loneliness level. The levels of internet addiction and loneliness of virtual environment of university students are significantly different according to the gender, age and internet connection a day. There was a significant relationship between internet loneliness levels and internet addiction levels of university students.

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