Technology addiction among school-going adolescents in India: epidemiological analysis from a cluster survey for strengthening adolescent health programs at district level

Abstract

Background There is limited evidence on technology addiction among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries where 90% of global adolescents live. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of technology addiction (Internet, gaming, smartphone, television) among school-going adolescents in India. Methods A cross-sectional survey covering the entire district (administrative unit for health) of India was conducted among representative sample of school-going adolescents using stratified cluster sampling. A total of 1729 adolescents completed the survey (age M = 12.58; SD = 0.97) by responding to Internet Addiction Test-Adolescents, Game Addiction Scale, Smartphone Addiction Scale and Television Addiction Scale. Associated factors were analyzed using binomial logistic regression analysis. Results Almost all the participants (99.59%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 99.28–99.91%) were using technology in one or other form. Prevalence of technology addiction among the users was 10.69% (95% CI: 5.26–16.11%). Phone addiction (8.91%; 95% CI: 3.31–14.52%) was the most common type followed by gaming addiction (2.55%; 95% CI: 1.16–3.95%). Technology addiction among adolescents was significantly associated with several risk factors at individual, family and school levels. Conclusion Technology addiction emerges as an important public health problem among adolescents in India. An integrated socio-ecological framework with multi-level approach that targets risk factors at various levels is required to promote healthy behaviors towards technology.

Gadget addiction among school-going children and its association to cognitive function: a cross-sectional survey from Bangladesh

“…An Indian study among school-going children, where 57.55% were female, found that 10.69% of technology users were addicted, with 8.91% addicted solely to their phones. 15 …”

“…Similarly, previous research consisting of two systematic reviews and meta-analysis2 14 confirm the increasing prevalence trend of gadget addiction over time in children and children. An Indian study among school-going children, where 57.55% were female, found that 10.69% of technology users were addicted, with 8.91% addicted solely to their phones 15…”

Mental Health Issues Among School Children and Adolescents in India: A Systematic Review

“…The study aimed to identify original research about mental health issues among school children and adolescents aged 19 years and under in India from studies published predominantly between January 2013 and August 2023. To obtain relevant articles, our initial literature search yielded 358 articles, 31 of which were included in this systematic review, the characteristics of which are summarized in The systematic review includes 24 cross-sectional studies [19,20,23,24,[26][27][28][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44]46,47], two descriptive cross-section studies [17,18], two comparative cross-section studies [21,29], whereas one randomized control trial [22], one survey study [25], and one intervention study [45] respectively. This review had 30,970 participants, of which 14381 (46.43%) were male.…”

“…This review had 30,970 participants, of which 14381 (46.43%) were male. The overall mean age of the school children and adolescents was 14.58 years, with a standard deviation of 1.35 [22,24,[26][27][28][29][35][36][37][38]43,44]. As per participants' concern, the sample size for cross-section studies ranging from 150 to 6682 participants, 242-369 participants for descriptive cross-section studies [17,18] and 462-1000 participants for comparative crosssection studies [21,29], whereas in randomized control trials [22], survey study [25], and intervention study [45], number of participants were 11, 874, and 300 respectively.…”

Adölesanlarda Teknolojik Oyun Bağımlılığı ve Karakter Güçleri

“…Nitekim adölesanların %95'inin başta cep telefonu olmak üzere, tablet, diz üstü bilgisayar vb gibi farklı türden sahip oldukları teknolojik araçlarla, günde birkaç kez veya neredeyse sürekli çevrimiçi olarak zaman harcadıkları ifade edilmektedir (16). Bazı adölesanlar teknolojik araçları sadece iletişim aracı olarak kullanırken bazıları film izlemek, müzik dinlemek, çevrimiçi oyun oynamak, alışveriş yapmak, eğitim materyallerine göz atmak gibi değişik amaçlar doğrultusunda kullanmaktadır (2,17). Günümüzde değişik amaçlar doğrultusunda kullanılan teknolojinin aşırı ve gereksiz kullanımı adölesanlarda teknoloji bağımlılığına yol açabilmekte ve bu sorunu önlemede ruh sağlığı alanı başta olmak üzere sağlık profesyonellerine önemli rol ve sorumluluklar düşmektedir (2).…”