Prevalence of Internet addiction and the effect of Internet usage on lifestyle of college students of Haryana during COVID 19 lockdown period

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Since 1990, Internet usage is increasing day by day and availability of smart mobile phones and electronic gazettes like tablet, laptop etc. has given it an exponential rise. During COVID-19 lockdown period, Internet usage pattern has changed a lot as per behaviour of students studying in schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutes etc. Background: To study the prevalence of Internet addiction and the effect of Internet usage on lifestyle of college students of Haryana. Method: Total 1035 students, of various educational streams in various colleges of Haryana state were included in the study and data was collected by pre-tested self-designed questionnaire and young's Internet addiction test questionnaire was used to assess its effect on life style. Results: Out of 1035 students, 436 (42%) participants were below average users of Internet, followed by 369 (36%) average users and 230 (22%) excessive users of Internet. Average of total score of young Internet addiction questionnaire was 27.72. Various life style factors like feeling stressed while working, neglects other activities, miss a diet, checks Internet many times, obsessed with phone and Internet usage per day were found significantly associated with Internet addiction (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Excessive Internet usage during COVID-19 pandemic may lead to various abnormal behavior changes which cause negative effect on various aspects of students like emotional, hyperactivity, depression, sleeping disorder etc.