Online and offline life: The functional use of the internet during the life cycle

This research aims to clarify when, how and under which conditions the Internet usage is functional for people during the life cycle in 574 adolescents, 671 younger emerging adults, 163 older emerging adults, 722 adults. Starting from Leontev studies, it is possible to consider the Internet as a functional organ. The goal is to verify which factors (Gender, Hours per day spent Online, Online Social-Support, Number of Online Contacts (NOCs), Life Satisfaction, Job Satisfaction) lead people to a Functional Internet Use (FIU). Significant results were found in all factors considered, including gender differences.