• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.103-117
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of internet usage among 5th and 6th grade of elementary school children and to elucidate the path model and the relative effects of various factors on internet addiction in the internet addiction tendency group. According to our results, the normal internet user group exhibit higher educational levels in fathers, secure attachment to mother, and warm friendship when compared to the internet addiction tendency group. At the same time, internet addiction group exhibit longer internet use time, a greater numbers of avatars in use, and higher avatars decoration costs. The research model suggested here was supported by the results. Attachment to mother appears to affect friendship which in turn affects avatars image decoration needs and avatars identification which in turn then has an impact upon internet addiction tendency. These results were then discussed in relation to previous research and theories.