A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of Gifted High School Students with Internet Addiction

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.A Candidate of General psychology, Department of psychology, Faculty of Education sciences and Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

2 Professor in Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objective: Nowadays, internet addiction is one of the most significant issues in the digital life of the new generation. The present study was conducted with the aim of identifying the lived experiences of high school gifted students with internet addiction.

Method: This study was conducted using a qualitative approach and phenomenological method. Sampling was purposive, carried out among male students with internet addiction during the 2024-2025 academic year in the city of Tabriz. To achieve theoretical saturation, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 of them. Individuals with internet addiction were identified using Young's Internet Addiction Test. Data were analyzed using Claizeian thematic analysis.

Findings: The findings led to the extraction of 5 main themes and 18 sub-themes. The main themes included: Escape from cultural, social constraints and lack of welfare facilities; Generational gap and intra-family tensions; Psychological impacts; Dependency; and Experiencing academic decline. Among the most important sub-themes were the conflict between the adolescent's traditional identity at home and digital identity, parents' inability to understand the digital world, experience of modern life, low academic self-efficacy, inability to concentrate, and feeling of emotional abandonment in the absence of the digital space.

Conclusion:The findings of this study showed that internet addiction in students is largely a reaction to cultural pressures, lack of recreational facilities, weaknesses in family communication, and an inability to manage emotions. Therefore, designing educational and counseling interventions in schools, enhancing digital literacy in families, and providing alternative spaces for adolescents' emotional release can play an effective role in preventing and reducing dependency on the virtual space.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Rehabilitation Counseling
Volume 1, Issue 4
February 2026
Pages 242-254

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History

  • Receive Date: 08 December 2025
  • Revise Date: 04 February 2026
  • Accept Date: 06 February 2026
  • Publish Date: 20 February 2026

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