Risk factors for internet

addiction among adolescents

Mohammad Fatkhul Mubin

 Introduction
In this era, internet is a kind of tools that constantly changing people
lives particularly in the need of fulfill their requirements.

Pandemic caused the risk of dependence and addiction on Internet

use during home quarantine.

All of their activities mostly held online and increasing the use of
mobile phone. Internet often helps addolescents to fulfill their needs
such as communications, relationship with others and also study.

Despites all the benefits, it can also become diseases in the society
(Mustafa, et al., 2020) and there are negative effects such as internet
abus that lead to psychological and physical problems.
 Recent studies
(Meng, et al., 2021)
Nearly 30% children and adolescents
spent more than 5 hours per day
online during pandemic.

Based on Compare Camp demographic

statistics (Zuckerman, 2020).
internet addiction among adolescents is
73% (age: 13-17)

Based on Indonesia Internet Service

Provider (APIJI).
Internet users in Indonesia reached 196.7
million people (per 2019-2020)

The following data

of Internet users
 Cybersex Addiction
Types of Internet
Addiction Net Compulsions

Cyber Relationship Addiction

Compulsive Information Seeking

Computer or Gaming Addiction

 Symptoms
Stayed online longer than originally
Feel restless or depressed when attempting to cut down the internet use
Internet as a way of escaping from problems
Loneliness

Physically
Backache
Headaches
Insomnia
Neck pain
Dry eyes

What causes it?

(Gregory, 2021)

Maladaptive
behavior

Variable Ratio Reinforcement

Schedule (VRRS) theory
explained that why we might be
so addicted is provides constant
surfing of the internet that leads
to multiple rewards that are
unpredictable.
Biological
predispositions
Predispositions of
Levels of dopamine and serotonin Internet addiction
deficiency may require to engage
in more behaviors in order to
some people with anxiety often
receive the same pleasureable
turn to the Internet to relieve their
response.
suffering from the anxiety itself.
 A person's employment
THE EFFECTS OF PROBLEMATIC performance or academic
standing may fall
INTERNET USE
Disrupt sleep patterns and lead to
fatigue also have a negative effect on
health.

Problematic internet use has a significant Relationships with others

impact on daily life. and environment may be
impacted negatively
Relationships with family members,
friends, romantic partners may be
impacted negatively.

Mental health concerns or

can be associated with
internet addiction
Mental health problems such as eating
and food issues, depression, stres, and
anxiety.
Prevention
&
Treatment
 Suggestion Prevent Internet Addiction
For adolescence
Education about harm of Internet addiction (ex: reduce physical and having negative moods symptoms).
Arrange daily life reasonably during quarantine (ex: limit time for recreational use of the internet and
avoid excessive use).
Proactively learn about emotional regulation strategies (such as relaxation, mindfulness meditation).

For schools
teachers should try to prevent Internet addiction by assigning homework that can be
accomplished offline.
educating students why they have to reduce recreational Internet use.
including mental health education (as a part of addition/online courses)
Suggestion Prevent Internet Addiction

For parents
parents can be set the online courses
reasonably.
using the automatic shutdown of Internet
access when the limit is reached.
give an example for their children like spend
less time on their phone.
having more interactions and be communicative
with their children.
01
Cognitive behavioral therapy
(CBT)
CBT is effective in treatment of Internet
addiction. Also combining CBT with other
treatments may further lead to augmented
effects.
03
Family therapies
this therapy focus on modifying and adjusting
relationships between family members through
the supervision of professionals (Meng, et al.,
2020)
02
Support groups
group interventions include educating young
people by providing them comprehensive
knowledge and information about advantages
and disadvantages of internet use (Meng, et
al., 2020)
04
Motivational Interviewing
It focuses on identifying reasons to change. Also
increasing personal motivation for change. For
example person aware of the impairment a
behavior such as mobile phone overuse, the
person will be more likely to make changes.
Alternative Treatments
01 Exercise
exercise provides mood-boosting benefits which may
reduce the compulsion to act especially on internet
addiction.

02 Leave smartphone at home

some people use the internet anywhere at any time.
Intentionally leave their phone at home when going out
can be provides person's time management to use their
smartphones.

03 Take breaks
scheduling breaks for internet use can help reduce overall
use. It requires self-discipline and desire as the person
have to consiously stop their internet use by themselves.
 References

Mustafa, M., Rose, N., et al. (2020). Internet addiction and family stress: Symptoms, causes and effects. Journal of Physics:
Conference Series. 1529(3). doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/1529/3/032017

Meng, S., P. Dong., et al. (2020). Guidelines for prevention and treatment of internet addiction in adolescents during home
quarantine for the COVID-19 pandemic. Heart and Mind. 4(4), 95. doi: 10.4103/hm.hm_36_20

Zuckerman, A. (2020). 46 Internet addiction statistics: 2020/2021 data, facts, & predictions. Compare Camp.
https://comparecamp.com/internet-addiction-statistics/, diakses pada tanggal 21 Oktober 2021

Asosiasi Penyelenggara Jasa Internet Indonesia. (2020). Laporan survei internet APJII 2019-2020. Asosiasi Penyelenggara Jasa
Internet Indonesia. https://apjii.or.id/survei

Gregory, C. (2020). Internet addiction disorders - signs, symptomps, and treatments. Psycom.
https://www.psycom.net/iadcriteria.html diakses pada tanggal 20 Oktober 2021

The Recovery Village. (2021). Internet Addiction Treatment. https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/process-addiction/internet-

addiction/treatment/
Thank You