Evaluation of the Relationship Between Internet Addiction and Depression in Adolescents

Year 2025, Volume: 17 Issue: 2, 1 - 10

Rıdvan Baykara Ahmet Kan Ayfer Gözü Pirinççioğlu

https://doi.org/10.56484/iamr.1655361

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to examine the levels of internet addiction in adolescents and its relationship with depression and with certain sociodemographic characteristics.
Methods: A cross-sectional and survey type study was conducted on 300 adolescents, aged 10-18 years.
Results: 187 (62.3%) of the 300 participants included in our study were male. Of the participants using the internet, 227 (75.6%) were normal internet users, 54 (18%) were risky internet users, and 10 (3.4%) were internet addicts (the participants were divided into three groups). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the presence of depression (p=0,33). In addition, a statistically significant but weak positive correlation was found between the internet addiction level and the depression score (r=0,194, p=0,001). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the duration of internet use and the internet addiction level (normal, risky, addict) (r=0,34, p=<0.001) and the internet addiction score (r=0,35, p=<0.001).
Conclusion: The internet addiction level (moderate, risky and addict) and the duration of internet use increased with the depression score. It was concluded that internet addiction causes a tendency for depression in many aspects.

Keywords

internet addiction, depression, aggression, adolescents

Ethical Statement

The work is approved by the Dicle University Medical Faculty Ethics Committee. Ethical consent was obtained from the participants.

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