The relation between problematic Internet use and healthy lifestyle behaviours in high school students

Abstract

Internet provides significant benefits for learning about the world but excessive Internet use can lead to negative outcomes. Problematic Internet use becomes a significant health concern among adolescents. However, the relation between problematic Internet use and adolescents adopting health-promoting behaviour is understudied. This study examined the relation between problematic Internet use and healthy lifestyle behaviours among a sample of 1000 students from seven high schools in Sivas, Turkey. Data were collected using the problematic Internet usage scale and health promotion lifestyle profile. Among male students, levels of problematic Internet use were significantly high in individuals using the Internet every day, those connecting to the Internet at home and those who use the Internet at least 5 h a day. Even though a weak negative correlation between problematic Internet use and healthy lifestyle behaviours was observed, gender and daily Internet use time also appeared to affect healthy lifestyle behaviours. The results from this study support the importance of developing early protective and preventive actions against problematic Internet use to promote adolescent health.