Childhood abuse linked to problematic internet use via diminished sense of belonging in university students

New research reveals that early relational trauma may influence young adults’ online behaviour by weakening their sense of social belonging, suggesting that strengthening offline support could curb problematic internet use.

A new study in university students suggests that childhood abuse may shape later problematic internet use through a weakened sense of belonging, adding to a growing body of evidence that early relational trauma can echo into digital habits in young adulthood.

According to the paper published in Wiley’s Stress and Health, the researchers examined the links between childhood abuse, belonging and problematic internet use over time, rather than relying on a single snapshot. They found that childhood abuse predicted higher levels of problematic internet use later on, while sense of belonging partly explained that connection. The analysis also suggested a two-way relationship between belonging and problematic internet use, indicating that each can reinforce the other in a cycle that may be difficult to break.

That finding fits with earlier research showing that the relational impact of childhood emotional abuse can be central to later suicidal thoughts, as reported in Psychological Services. Other studies have also pointed to social connection as a protective factor. Research on adolescent mental health has linked a stronger sense of belonging to better outcomes, while studies of internet-related problems in China and elsewhere have repeatedly associated childhood maltreatment with addictive or compulsive online behaviour.

The broader literature also suggests that heavy screen use is rarely just about technology itself. A qualitative study at Umm Al-Qura University in Saudi Arabia found that students and staff saw smartphone overuse as tied to stress, boredom and social routines, and recommended practical limits, physical activity and family and social engagement as possible counterweights. Together, the studies point to a common message: reducing problematic internet use may require more than digital discipline alone, and may also mean strengthening offline relationships, belonging and support.