The Examining of Internet Addiction and its Related Factors in Children Aged 6-18 Years

Abstract

Objective: Our research classified variables associated with internet addiction and examined their relations with such addiction. Our study aim was to reveal how variables that may have separate effects on internet addiction predict such addiction as an integral whole. The variables that emerge are important in terms of determining the profiles of internet-addicted individuals and of use as additional indicators of addiction. Materials and Methods: The research was designed as a cross-sectional survey. The research data were collected from students at primary, middle, and high schools in the province center of Trabzon in the Black Sea region of Turkey in the 2018 academic year. The measurement tools were applied to 8651 students attending 122 schools from the three academic stages. Data were collected using a survey and the Internet Addiction Scale. Results: As a result of the research, children’s current internet addiction status was evaluated and 17% of the children in the sample were determined to be internet-addicted. However, a high level of risk of addiction was also observed (39.8%). Also, variables associated with themes predicting internet addiction, such as ‘ownership of and access to technology,’ ‘the family,’ ‘use control’ ‘activities/hobbies’, ‘peer/friend influence’ and ‘purpose of use’ were established by making particular use of the previous literature, and relations were examined in a holistic manner. Conclusion: In the fight against internet addiction risk factors, family, student and environmental factors should be addressed.