An Exploratory Study to Assess the Level of Internet Addiction and its Impact on the Health of Adolescents in Selected Schools of District Mohali, Punjab

Abstract

Introduction: Internet addiction is alarming and is on the rise, according to the mental health professional. As the internet increasingly becomes part of our lives, internet addiction disorder has received much attention. Overuse of internet causes bad impact on adolescents health. De to addiction of internet, adolescents neglect the familial social activities, doing less physical activities, having poor academic performance, feel loneliness, frustrated, depressed, sleep deprivation, back-ache, and it will affect the lifestyle habits of the adolescents. Aim of the Study: Aim of study is to assess level of internet addiction and its impact on the health of adolescents in selected schools of district Mohali, Punjab. Material & Method: A quantitative approach with exploratory research design was adopted. By Purposive sampling technique 200 adolescents were selected. Data was collected by internet addiction test to assess the level and self-structured rating scale to assess the impact of internet addiction on health. Analysis of data was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Study findings shows that adolescents majority had moderate level of internet addiction178(89%) and had moderate impact on health 119(60%). Internet addiction were having more impact on physical health with mean value of 68.96 as compared to the mental and social health (56.82 and 55.37) respectively. There was moderate positive correlation between level of internet addiction and its impact on the health of adolescent (r=0.347). Conclusion: It shows that adolescents were having moderate level of internet addiction which is having impact on their physical, mental and social health.