Unlocking the Determinants of Pathological Internet Use (PIU) among Urban Millennial Teens

Investigations to unlock factors that contribute to formation of PIU are considered critical; this knowledge will provide significant contribution to the academics and practitioners. In respond to this concern, the purpose of this research paper is to determine the underlying factors that contribute to the formation of Pathological Internet Use (PIU). The data analysis was based on 656 respondents who were upper-secondary students from selected schools in Klang Valley. The result of the exploratory factor analysis reveals that there are seven underlying factors that contribute to the formation of PIU namely: anxiety, parental attachment, peer attachment, entertainment, Internet activities, social networking and neuroticism. In addition, the present study also propose that there are three predictors of PIU, namely, social system (parents and peers), media system and personality system. It can be implied that PIU should be deliberately examined by the industry players in order to produce healthy and competitive millennial generations. Research implications to management and body of knowledge; and potential future research directions are deliberated.