Problematic Internet Use among Polish Students

Prevalence, Relationship to Sociodemographic Data and Internet Usage Patterns

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15499461
AutoresMarta Kożybska (0000-0002-9261-0548, Pomeranian Medical University), Iwona Radlińska (0000-0002-4726-0702, Pomeranian Medical University, autor de correspondencia), Marcin Kolwitz (Pomeranian Medical University), Beata Karakiewicz (0000-0001-6527-7287, Pomeranian Medical University)
Año2023
Volumen20
Número3
Páginas2434-2434
Fecha de publicación2023-01-30
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditorialMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph20032434
PMID36767799
OpenAlexW4318476726
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas4
Referencias citadas54

Problematic Internet Use (PIU) is a broad term that covers problems with Internet use that result in psychological, social, academic or professional difficulties. The aim of our study was to identify individuals particularly vulnerable to developing PIU among Polish students, taking into account sociodemographic characteristics and Internet use patterns. A total of 1008 students of Polish universities took part in the survey. The research tool was The Problematic Internet Use Test-the Polish version of the Internet Addiction Test. Among the respondents, 10.2% showed signs of PIU-high or very high risk of addiction. Significantly higher levels of PIU were found in males than females, science students than medical and humanities students, and Internet users using a computer, as opposed to students using only a phone/tablet. A decrease in PIU was observed as students improved their assessment of their material situation. The severity of PIU increased significantly as the importance of Internet use for entertainment increased. Our research indicates that it is worth implementing measures to prevent the development of PIU in Poland, e.g., screening educational campaigns, especially for science students. It is also necessary to offer students at lower levels of education, especially the less affluent, forms of leisure time other than computer activity with the use of the Internet

Environmental health · Geography · Sociology · The Internet · World Wide Web · Child Development and Digital Technology · Computer Science · Demography · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Medicine · Psychology · Social Media and Politics