Internet addiction, attention deficit and impulsivity among young people in internet cafes

Abstract

Objective: With the increasing number of people using the Internet, definitions such as ‘pathological, excessive or inappropriate internet use’ and ‘internet addiction’ occur. In our study; we aimed to investigate levels of internet addiction, impulsivity and attention deficit and hyperactivity characteristics people with habit of going to internet cafes.

Method: Two separate internet cafes, in the same seasons, at weekends, ten times in a week 150 people were interviewed. A total of 60 people with a habit of continuing internet cafes and 50 as a control group were included in the study. All participants; The sociodemographic data form, Internet Addiction Scale (PSS), Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), Adult Attention Deficit Disorder/ Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis and Evaluation Inventory (ADH/ADHD scale) (Turgay 1995) were applied.

Results: The attitudes of the people with the habit of going to the Internet cafes were significantly higher than the control group with the attention-related impulsivity, motor impulsivity and total scores, and all sub-dimensions of AD/ADHD. In addition, the first (carefully related section) and 2nd (hyperactivity part) sections of ADH and ADHD scale and BIS-11 motor impulsivity sub-dimension and total score were positively related to all sub-dimensions of ADD/ ADHD scale.

Conclusion: Based on our results, it was seen that people with the habit of going to internet cafes were at risk for internet addiction, impulsivity and attention deficit. It can be inferred that these people spend a lot of time in cafes, spend money in these places and consequently decrease in their work/school achievements. Based on all these results, the inspections of the internet cafes, which are an important internet connection area, should be conducted more comprehensively and further research is needed to prevent possible harmful consequences.