Internet addiction and psychosocial problems among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Ozturk, Fatma Ozlem; Ayaz-Alkaya, Sultan

PURPOSE: This research was conducted to investigate the prevalence of internet addiction and psychosocial problems and associated factors among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Turkey. The population was composed of 9th and 10th grade students. The sample consisted of 1572 participants. Data were collected from parents of the students through a questionnaire, the Pediatric Symptom Checklist, and the Parent-Child Internet Addiction Test. RESULTS: The prevalence of psychosocial problems was 20.7%. A few (4.8%) of adolescents had limited internet addiction symptoms. The psychosocial problems risk was significantly higher in adolescents whose fathers did not work, whose family income was less than expense, and whose daily internet use time was more than 3 h and more (p < 0.05). The risk of problematic internet use was significantly higher in males, whose mother's education level was high school and lower, whose family income was less than expense, and whose duration of internet use was 5 years and more (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between internet addiction and psychosocial problem mean scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Most of the adolescents were internet users and one in five adolescents was at risk of psychosocial problems. Internet addiction and psychosocial problems were associated with several sociodemographic factors. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study emphasizes the need for the prevention of excessive internet use and psychosocial problems during COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents. Nurses should organize online trainings for internet addiction and psychosocial problems for adolescents and their parents during the quarantine process.