Relation Between Sociodemographic Factors and Increased Internet Usage During the First Three Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Earthquakes: Croatian Online Survey

Aim: To determine the effect of COVID-19 pandemic and earthquakes on the overall Internet usage (IU) and Internet-specific activities (ISA) among adult Croatian population and their relation with sociodemographic factors. Subjects and Methods: A total of 1,118 participants (220 men and 898 women; mean age: 35.14 ± 12.31 years; range 18 - 78) participated in an online self-report survey providing sociodemographic data and replying to questions on COVID-19 and earthquake-related stress factors and overall IU and ISA before and during the period of the first three pandemic waves and earthquakes. Results: Overall IU (p < 0.001), online gaming (OG) (p < 0.001), pornography viewing (PV) (p < 0.001), social media use (SM) (p < 0.001), and online shopping (OS) (p < 0.001) during the pandemic and earthquakes were significantly increased in the group that used the Internet before this prolonged stress experiences. Furthermore, overall IU increased in women (p < 0.001), less educated (p = 0.001), and single participants (p = 0.027). OG was associated with younger age (p = 0.001), lower education (p < 0.001), single status (p = 0.006), child-free status (P = 0.001), and urban residence (p = 0.032). Increased PV was associated with younger age (p < 0.001), male sex (p < 0.001), lower education (p < 0.001), single status (p = 0.001) and child-free status (p < 0.001). Increased SM was associated with female sex (p < 0.001) and lower education (p < 0.001). Conclusion: To reduce the negative impacts of prolonged stress, clinicians and public health authorities should take into consideration sociodemographic risk factors associated with IU and ISA.