Prevalence of Internet Addiction and Impact of Internet Socialization on Professional, Academic, Social Lives and Sleep Pattern Among Students and Professionals from Various Fields Across India

Abstract

Background: Internet addiction was found to be associated with a variety of psychosocial problems, including academic failure, low self-esteem, poor diet, mental disorders like depression and anxiety, sleep deprivation, and social withdrawal. Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of internet addiction and evaluate the impact of internet socialization on professional, academic, social lives and sleep pattern among students and professionals from various fields across India. Methodology: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted from January 2022 to July 2023 among 772 participants who were aged ≥18 years. The study tool consisted of a questionnaire with four parts comprising questions related to demographic characteristics, pattern of use and impact of internet over academic, professional, social life, sleep pattern, and Kimberley Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT) questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of Internet addiction was 53.6% among the participants. Participants aged above 30 years demonstrated a decreased risk of internet addiction compared to those aged below 30 years (AOR = 0.35). Participants who reported becoming restless without internet access (AOR = 4.88) and going to bed late because of the use of internet or social media (AOR = 3.01) had a significantly higher risk of internet addiction. Conclusion: Internet addiction is very common among professionals, and students and there is a high risk of internet addiction in persons who get restless when they cannot log in, spend too much time online, stay up late using the internet, and share personal information soon after meeting others on social media sites.