Pattern of internet addiction among urban and rural school students, Mangaluru, India: a comparative cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Adolescents use the Internet for a variety of activities besides gaming; they frequently engage themselves with social networking, instant messaging, blogging and downloading information. Heavy Internet use has been associated with potential side effects, such as loss of control over the use of the Internet, adverse effects on other daily activities, emotional status and communication among family members. Objective of present study to assess the prevalence of Internet Addiction (IA) and factors associated with Internet use among Urban and Rural school students. Methods: A school based cross sectional study was conducted in the urban and rural field practice area of a medical college hospital in Mangaluru. Internet addiction was assessed using Young's Internet Addiction Test. Results: The prevalence of internet addiction among urban school students was found to be i.e. 83.3%, while it was 78% in rural school students. Mild IA was common among both. Male gender, smart phones and hours spent on internet were common risk factor for IA in both groups. Conclusions: Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT) is a simple and easy tool to assess Internet addiction among adolescent school students. Need to give importance of outdoor activity and community level education needed to prevent Internet Addiction.

Prevalence of Internet Addiction Disorder and Its Correlates Among Clinically Stable Adolescents With Psychiatric Disorders in China During the COVID-19 Outbreak

“…Previous studies on coping have also suggested that the Internet is a common way to release emotions and escape from or avoid reallife problems; such strategies may lead to excessive internet usage, resulting in IAD among adolescents with psychiatric disorders (29,35,50). Similar to previous findings (13,51,52), we found that the adolescents in rural areas had a lower risk of IAD. Compared with adolescents living in rural areas, adolescents living in urban areas have greater ease in accessing the Internet through smartphones and computers (13,53).…”