Internet Addiction and Depressıve Symptoms in Secondary School Students

Abstract

Objective: The problems with internet usage is a significant problem regardless of social status and in almost all age groups. Internet addiction in adolescents is considered to be the most important risk groups. This study was conducted to determine correlation of internet addiction and depressive symptoms among secondary school students. Method: This research was conducted at two secondary public schools in Istanbul during 2015-2016 academic year. Ethics committee approval and permission was obtained from the Directorate of National Education Institutions. 1312 students completely filled in measuring instruments. The measuring instruments consisted of a personal information form, Internet Dependency Scale (IDS) and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). Results: The average of students’ age was 12,44±1,20. 50.2% of the sample were women. 53.8% of the sample spent 1-2 hours per day in internet. Mean IDS point was 38,942±12,90 and mean CDI point was 12,52±7,13. According to the IDS cutpoint; 80,9% of students were normal users, 18,4% of them were high-risk users and 0,6% of them were internet dependents. According to the CDI cutpoint, 16.8% of the students had depressive symptoms. A statistically significant moderate correlation was found between mean scores of CDI and IDS (r=,414; p<0,01). Conclusion: Although the rate of internet addiction and depression is low among students, the use of risky Internet is quite high. There is a relation between internet addiction and depressive symptoms.