To explore the correlation between internet addiction among school-going adolescents aged 13–19 years and their internet utilization on diverse personal devices: A cross-sectional observational study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Over the past decade, there has been a significant surge in the emergence of a mental health issue known as internet addiction. This condition is characterized by an individual’s compulsive inclination to dedicate most of their time to the internet, often at the expense of their social and personal well-being. Aim: To assess the extent of internet addiction among adolescents aged 13–19 years who attend school and to investigate the relationship between internet addiction and the methods of internet utilization on personal devices. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among school-going adolescents aged 13–19 years in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. The study involved 602 students selected through stratified random sampling. The assessment tools utilized included an Internet Addiction Test (IAT), a self-reported questionnaire comprising 20 items designed specifically for adolescents. The tool’s content validity and reliability were established, and a pilot test was conducted before the main study. Results: Among the student participants, approximately 19.77% (119 students) exhibited complete control over their internet usage, whereas around 67.11% (404 students) experienced persistent issues related to internet use. Roughly, 13.12% (79 students) encountered significant problems due to their internet usage. Out of these 79 students dealing with internet addiction, 5.1% (4 students) utilized desktops, 81.0% (64 students) utilized laptops, 12.6% (10 students) used tablets, and 1.3% (1 student) used a cell phone for personal internet access. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the outcomes of the IAT and the method of internet usage (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: About 13.12% of students experienced considerable issues attributed to their internet usage. The factor associated with the IAT was the method of accessing the internet.