Prevalence of problematic internet use and internet usage pattern among adolescents

Background: There has been a rapid rise in the use and ease of access to the Internet worldwide, including South-East Asian countries like India. Problematic Internet use (PIU) has become a global phenomenon that causes a serious problem to the affected individual leading to impairment in psychological well-being. Aim: The present study is aimed to assess and compare the prevalence of PIU and the pattern of Internet usage in North and South India. Setting: The study was conducted in Private and Private Aided Schools of two states of North and South India. Methods: The study with a cross-sectional comparative design was conducted for a period of 1 month among 900 students. The participants were selected using nonprobability, convenient sampling technique. The samples who met the inclusive criteria were provided with a self-administered questionnaire after obtaining written consent from their parents and assent from the students. Results: The prevalence of PIU was found to be 1.16% among adolescents of North India and 4.40% in adolescents from South India. A significant difference (χ2-1.111, P- 0.000) was found for PIU of the adolescent from two regions were compared.Conclusion: PIU was found in most of the students in both states. Hence, its important to identify the activities which are the key factors that may influence PIU among adolescents, and it should be put under control using effective measures.