Internet Use Patterns, Internet Addiction, and Anxiety among Youth in Jordan: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Despite the numerous benefits of Internet use, improper Internet utilization may produce many psychological illnesses, such as Internet Addiction (IA). Young people are considered a vulnerable population for IA. Purpose: The current study is conducted to determine the prevalence of IA among youth in Jordan. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional descriptive approach. The final sample consisted of 405 Jordanian young people. The researchers recruited the study participants from two universities and four schools located at different regions in Jordan. The study utilized a self-report questionnaire composed of four sections; Basic Information Questionnaire, Internet Use Patterns Questionnaire, IA Test, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment. Ethical principles of nursing research were adhered to. The study was conducted during the second semester of 2023/2024 academic year. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results: The study results revealed that about one third of the participants (n= 121, 29.9%) met the criteria for IA. There is a variability among the study participants regarding their online activities, where social media was the main online activity (66.4 %). The study results also reported that there is a positive association between anxiety and IA (r = 0.66; p = 0.001). Conclusion: From a Jordanian viewpoint, this study adds to the understanding of IA among youth in the international literature. To mitigate the negative effects of IA, stakeholders must work together interdisciplinarily and with concerted effort. Implications for Nursing: Nurses can play an important role in raising awareness about IA among youth and making referral for the affected individuals. Keywords: Internet, Social media, Internet use, Internet use patterns, Internet addiction, Youth, Anxiety, Jordan.