Internet Usage Among Adolescents

By : Manjiri Gokhale, Kavitagauri Joshi

Page No: 85-93

Abstract:
The internet is an integral part of the lives of millennials. While its utility is undisputed (for work, entertainment, communication, information and socialization) there is a growing concern about its excessive use among adolescents, sometimes leading to internet addiction. This study explores the trends of internet use among urban Indian adolescents from the nonclinical population.

An observational study of 594 students in the age group of 14 to 18 years from the city of Thane (Maharashtra, India) was conducted over a span of three years. Students were assessed using The Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Subjects were classified based on their scores into four categories (ranging from Normal Usage to Severe Addiction). Scores were compared over three years to understand the pattern of internet use, see if there is any change in the pattern of usage over time and whether any gender differences or age differences exist.

Majority of the students (48%) fall in the ‘Mild Addiction’ range. There is a drop in the number of students showing ‘Normal Use’ of the internet, from 21% in 2016 to 9% in 2018. There is a substantial rise in the number of students showing mild addiction to internet from 35% in 2016 to 56% in 2018.

No Gender Differences are found in the pattern of internet usage.

No Age differences in terms of school-going versus college-going students are found in the pattern of internet usage.

This calls for designing of timely intervention so that adolescents do not get addicted to the internet.

Authors :
Manjiri Gokhale
Institute for Psychological Health, Thane

Kavitagauri Joshi
Institute for Psychological Health, Thane
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JPR.2021.16.01.9