PREVALENCE OF INTERNET-ADDICTION AMONG ADOLESCENTS OF CENTRAL SIBERIA

Introduction. Excessive internet use in adolescents may adversely affect their mental health and social adaptation, therefore it represents an important public health issue in different countries around the world. Aim. To evaluate prevalence of internet-addiction among adolescents aged 11-18; to assess the nature of the content accessed by adolescents with internet-addiction. Methods. The data was collected between January and May of 2019. Sample size: 2,950 adolescents (44.7% males and 54.3% females) aged 11-18 (average age 14.5 ± 1.3 years). A younger subgroup (11-14 years old) constituted 52.4%, an older subgroup (15-18 years old) constituted 47.6% of the sample. Internet addiction was assessed using Chen Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS) with a cut off number set at 65 points. Gaming addiction was evaluated using Game Addictions Scale for Adolescents; social media addiction - using The Social Media Disorder Scale. Results. Overall prevalence of internet addiction was 6.8%. It was higher in females (8.2%), than in males (5.1%), p < 0.001. Internet addiction was more common in older subgroup: 7.8% in 15-18-years-old subgroup and 5.9% in 11-14-years-old subgroup, p = 0.04. Males were more likely to suffer from internet gaming addiction (39.1%), while 31.3% of their female counterparts had social media addiction, 23.7% had mixed addiction, and 36.6% had undifferentiated addiction. Conclusions. High prevalence of internet addiction among adolescent population of Central Siberia requires implementation of preventive measures aimed at preservation of mental health in this age group.

public health, prevalence, internet-addictions, adolescents