Longitudinal relations among online social activities, peer relationship problems, and well-being in children: The moderating effect of extraversion

Abstract

Prior research has predominantly examined the relations between online social activities (OSA) and mental health among adolescents and adults, with comparatively less emphasis placed on children, particularly concerning positive indicators of subjective health, such as well-being. The relations between OSA and well-being are likely intricate and necessitate meticulously designed methodologies to investigate the associations and their underlying mechanisms. This longitudinal study employed the random intercept cross-lagged panel models to explore the dynamic relations between OSA and well-being, considering peer relationship problems as a potential mediator and extraversion as a moderator of the associations, while distinguishing between- and within-person effects. A total of 2,300 Chinese children (56.1% boys, M_age = 9.49, SD = 0.56) completed four measurements over a two-year period. The results indicated that: (a) OSA negatively predicted well-being, but not vice versa; (b) peer relationship problems mediated the relations from OSA to well-being; and (c) extraversion served as a moderator of the associations, with notable differences between extraverted and introverted children. These findings provide valuable insights for developing targeted guidance for children's Internet use to enhance their general well-being.