| Sumario: | The growing prevalence of internet use and evidence indicating both harmful and beneficial consequences of "being on‐line" suggest the importance of understanding risk and protective factors that may prevent use from becoming "excessive." While research has explored the psychological factors precipitating excessive use, few analyses have focused simultaneously on the impact of individual traits and social attachments. Drawing on Walter Reckless' arguments in containment theory, we investigate how internal and external "containments" may influence excessive internet use. Using data from a 2017 online survey of adolescents and young adults (n = 785) recruited from a demographically balanced sample of Americans, we also explore how the effect of these factors may change or remain constant for individuals at different stages in the life course. Overall, results indicate that both internal and external containments influence the likelihood of engaging in excessive internet use, though the importance of each varies across age groups. Our findings point to a compelling life course story, suggesting an intersection between internet use and the changing circumstances and priorities that come with increasing age.
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