Internet addiction? Potentially problematic use of the Internet in a population of 12–18 year-old adolescents

Abstract

On-line surveys indicate harmful excessive use of the Internet resulting in psychosocial problems (Internet addiction). Population studies are scarce, particularly on adolescents who are a vulnerable group in the middle of their personality development.

The prevalence of features suggesting harmful use of the Internet is studied in a representative sample of 12–18 year-old Finns (N = 7292) in a postal survey in 2001. Criteria were tailored analogously to the criteria of pathological gambling, fulfilling four of the seven criteria operationalised as Internet addiction.

Eighty five percent used the Internet. Among daily users 4.6% of boys and 4.7% of girls fulfilled the four criteria, infrequent users 0.3 and 0.5%, and all respondents 1.7 and 1.4%, respectively. The “addicts” spent more hours (mean = 2.7) in the Internet daily than the “non-addicts” (mean = 1.3).

Some adolescents reported a potentially harmful relationship with the Internet comparable to addictive disorders. Although not common now, it will most likely increase with the increasing Internet use.

• Internet addiction
• Adolescence