Müsemma Karabel, Department of Pediatrics, Dicle University Medical School, Diyarbakır, Turkey
Hakan Onur, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Hospital, Diyarbakır, Turkey
Şeref Şimşek, Department of Pediatric Psychiatry, Special Clinic. Diyarbakır, Turkey
Objective: The goal of our study is to determine the level of Internet addiction (IA) in adolescents by utilizing the IA scale. Methods: We employed two tools: the IA test (IAT) and the beck depression inventory (BDI), complemented by a sociodemographic information form, to assess IA and depression levels. Results: A total of 201 participants were included. A positive correlation was found between daily Internet usage time and IAT scores (r = 0.388, p < 0.001) and between BDI scores and IAT scores (r = 0.161, p = 0.013). Females had a lower mean IAT score (63.56 ± 28.08) (p < 0.001). The BDI scores varied significantly across the groups (p = 0.004). The mean BDI scores were higher in the severe addiction group (13.53 ± 7.15) compared to the moderate (11.04 ± 6.62), mild (10.11 ± 5.38), and normal usage groups (9.28 ± 5.54). A significant difference was found in gender distribution across the groups (p = 0.001). The presence of suicidal ideation differed significantly across the groups (p = 0.002). The presence of depression showed a significant difference (p = 0.038). Conclusions: Our study reveals a significant correlation between increased Internet usage and heightened levels of IA and depression among adolescents, with notable gender differences in IA severity.
Keywords: Internet addiction. Depression. Adolescents. Students.