Abstract

Some of the most frequently used online applications are Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter. These applications allow individuals to communicate with other users, to share information or pictures, and to stay in contact with friends all over the world. However, a growing number of users suffer from negative consequences due to their excessive use of these applications, which can be referred to as Internet-communication disorder. The frequent use and easy access of these applications may also trigger the individuals fear of missing out on content when not accessing these applications. Using a sample of 270 participants, a structural equation model was analyzed to investigate the role of psychopathological symptoms and the fear of missing out on expectancies towards Internet-communication applications in the development of symptoms of an Internet-communication disorder. The results suggest that psychopathological symptoms predict higher fear of missing out on the individuals Internet-communication applications and higher expectancies to use these applications as a helpful tool to escape from negative feelings. These specific cognitions mediate the effect of psychopathological symptoms on Internet-communication disorder. Our results are in line with the theoretical model by Brand et al. (2016) as they show how Internet-related cognitive bias mediates the relationship between a persons core characteristics (e.g., psychopathological symptoms) and Internet-communication disorder. However, further studies should investigate the role of the fear of missing out as a specific predisposition, as well as specific cognition in the online context.

Abstract

La ecología de los medios móviles ha generado parámetros fluidos para configurar la comunicación online, alterando, principalmente, la dimensión espacial y temporal y, como resultado, la delimitación en las dicotomías de las esferas pública, privada, íntima y personal. Debido a esta ecología líquida de los medios, llena de potencialidades y riesgos, la Academia ha profundizado en las principales áreas de tensión con las que lidiar: creación del perfil, identidad digital, diferentes tipos de redes sociales, los datos masivos y la huella digital. Como resultado de las conclusiones obtenidas en el proyecto Feder de la UE, Public and private in mobile communications (2013-2015), proponemos acordar un código ético internacional para el diseño de interfaces de aplicaciones, webs y plataformas, así como, específicamente, para los dispositivos móviles debido a sus desafiantes, intrínsecos y específicos rasgos y características. Abstract Mobile media ecology has raised fluid parameters to configure online communication, mainly altering space and time dimensions and, as a consequence of the alteration, the delimitation of the public, private, intimate, and personal spheres dichotomies. Due to this liquid media ecology, full of affordances and risks, Academy has delved into the main areas of tension to be dealt with: the creation of the profile, the digital identity, the different kinds of social media networks, big data, and the digital path. As a result of conclusions obtained from the EU Feder project, Public and private in mobile communications (2013-2015), we propose an international ethics code for the interface design of apps, webs, and platforms for mobile devices due to their challenging, intrinsic, and specific features and characteristics.