Internet addiction among undergraduate students in Southern Nigeria: Implications for policy and practice

Background: Internet addiction among undergraduate students is a growing concern globally, with potential implications for academic performance and overall well-being. However, limited research has been conducted on the prevalence of internet addiction among undergraduate students in Southern Nigeria. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with internet addiction among undergraduate students at the University of Benin in Southern Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students at the University of Benin selected by a multi-stage random sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire adapted from the Internet Addiction Test by Young. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 22.0, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: Four hundred and ninety-nine respondents participated in this study with a mean age of 20.5±2.7 years. Out of 499 respondents surveyed, 392 (78.6%) were addicted to the internet. Of these, 356 (90.8%) exhibited mild addiction, 35 (8.9%) had moderate addiction, and 1 (0.3%) had severe addiction. Male gender (p=0.037) was found to have a significant association with the prevalence of internet addiction. Conclusion: This study highlights the alarming prevalence of internet addiction among undergraduate students at the University of Benin in Southern Nigeria. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address internet addiction among undergraduate students in Nigeria.