The Effects of Internet Addiction on Family Relations and School Success in Adolescents

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether high school adolescents between the ages of 14-19 are internet addicts. It also investigates the effects of internet addiction on family harmony and school success.

Methods: Our study was conducted between 30 June 2020 - 1 August 2020 in Istanbul Bağcılar Barbaros Family Health Centre. Firstly, in our study, high school adolescents were asked 29 questions about their socio-demographic status. Then, the Young Internet Addiction Scale consisting of 20 questions and the 5-Question Family Harmony Scale created by Kavikondala et al. were applied. School success was measured verbally via learning the school year-end grade averages.

Results: In our study, the internet addiction scale was applied to 183 high school students aged between 14 and 19. We determined that 85.8% of the participants were normal internet users, 13.1% were potential addicts, and 1.1% were addicted. The participants consisted of 100 girls and 83 boys. The total scores of the Internet addiction scale did not show a statistically significant difference between girls and boys. Girls’ school success scores were higher than boys. The students studying at the science high school had higher internet addiction scale scores than other high school groups. Compared to the other groups, the total internet addiction scores were significantly higher in those who have a smartphone, use a smartphone or computer for more than 3 hours daily, and have been using the internet for more than 5 years. The Internet addiction scale scores were significantly higher in individuals with irregular sleep. We found a statistically significant negative correlation between total internet addiction and family harmony scores (r=-0,217 p=0,003). We did not find a correlation between school success and internet addiction scores (r=-0,039 p=0,596).

Conclusion: Our study found a statistically significant negative correlation between internet addiction total scores and family harmony scores. Still, we did not find a correlation between school success and internet addiction scores.