The Impact of Internet Addiction on Mental Health of Grade 11 STEM Students

in PHINMA - Cagayan De Oro College, Puerto Campus.

A Qualitative Research Proposal

Presented to:
Meil Jay E. Serad

The Faculty of the Senior High School

UsPHINMA-Cagayan de Oro College
Cagayan de Oro City

In Partial Fulfillment of Course Requirements

APP 005: Practical Research 1

By:
COC-FB2-01-STEM-P Group 1

March 30, 2023.

 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

With the internet being popular and is a relevant tool in this digital age, the use of internet
is available almost everywhere. Nevertheless, we might not be aware of the fact that using the
internet has turned into more than just a habit—it has become an addiction. Internet addiction,
also known as problematic internet use, is a condition in which an individual uses the internet
excessively and compulsively, to the point that it interferes with their daily life and functioning. It is
relevant to investigate internet addiction in order to better understand its causes, consequences,
and potential solution. By having better understanding of the problem, we can develop treatments
and possible measures to help individuals struggling with internet addiction.
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Internet addiction is defined by excessive or uncontrollably spontaneous preoccupations

desires, or actions related to computer use or online access that impair functioning. The
detrimental effects that internet addiction can have on student’s academic achievement,
interpersonal connections, and general well-being make it an issue. When students spend too
much time online, they may forget their obligations, including finishing homework or studying for
examinations, which can result in worse marks and academic failure. Since kids may spend more
time online than with friends and family, internet addiction can cause adolescents to become
socially isolated. This may affect their capacity to establish and keep relationships, which may
have detrimental effects on their mental well-being. Nowadays, the internet is very accessible and
provides us with information and knowledge for our personal, social, and economic development.
Yet, some people use the internet so much that they develop an addiction. This issue affects a
large number of people globally; prevalence rates have been estimated to range from 1.5% to
8.2% in various populations. Combining therapeutic interventions, support groups, family therapy,
and internet blocking tools can be an effective way to help individuals overcome their addiction to
the internet. One example of international efforts to address internet addiction is the "Shutdown
Law" it restricts access to online games for children under 16 after midnight and 6 a. m. By
preventing excessive internet use, these laws want to encourage young people to establish
healthy lives in South Korea. According to both the CIAS-R (21%) and the IAT (5%) the
Philippines has the highest rate of internet addiction. For local, the the Philippine Student Health
Questionnaire was administered and 100% test results were retrieved. Results showed that most
of the respondents are average users. Most respondents were suffering from mental health
issues. Results highly suggests exerting efforts for awareness in regulating proper usage of
internet especially for teenagers. They also suggested to continue and share lifestyle practices
which contribute to mental health of an individual.

The Internet's use is ingrained in our society and has changed the way we live our lives.
Despite this, relatively little is known about the effects of internet addiction on psychological
functioning, mental health, and general well-being. The issue of internet addiction must be
resolved in order to limit usage, which would worsen people's mental health, and to increase
awareness of responsible internet usage and ways to prevent addiction to the internet.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to address the growing concern about the impact of internet addiction on
the mental health of Grade 11 STEM students in PHINMA. The excessive use of the internet may
lead to a range of negative psychological outcomes, including anxiety, depression, social isolation,
and poor academic performance. Therefore, it is important to investigate the extent of internet
addiction among these students and its relationship with their mental health. By understanding the
factors that contribute to internet addiction and its effects on mental health, educators and mental
health professionals can develop effective interventions to prevent and treat this problem. The
study aims to explore the relationship between internet addiction and various mental health
outcomes, such as anxiety, depression, and stress.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS

This study was conducted to identify the impact of internet addiction on mental health of
grade 11 STEM students in PHINMA - Cagayan de Oro College, Puerto Campus. The population
consists of 346 students enrolled in PHINMA - Cagayan de Oro College in the year 2022-2023.
This study may also seek to identify factors that contribute to internet addiction among STEM-11
students, as well as the potential interventions that can be implemented to address this issue and
promote better mental health outcomes among this population.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be significant to the people who suffers internet addiction, students, and for
future researchers.

1. By understanding the negative effects of internet addiction on mental health,

interventions can be put in place to promote healthy technology use and prevent potential
negative consequences that include improving student’s awareness of the importance of
balancing technology use with other aspects of life, promoting mental health, well-being,
and potentially improving academic performance.
2. People - The research will provide insights into the potential negative effects of
internet addiction on mental health, and may help individuals better understand and
manage internet use to maintain good mental health.
3. Students who suffer internet addiction - By gaining a better understanding of internet
addiction, effective interventions and treatments can be developed to help students
struggling with this issue.
4. Researcher/proponents - researchers can gain a better understanding of the risk factors
associated with this phenomenon and spread awareness. They can also assess the impact
of internet addiction on various aspects of mental health, such as anxiety, depression, and
social isolation.
5. Future Researchers - Future researcher who will propose a study which is similar to our
study Impact of Internet Addiction on the Mental Health can use this as a guide for their
study. They can gather information gain knowledge and get some insight on how to
improve their study.
CONSEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Internet addiction was considered the modern addiction of today's generation. In the
foundation of the conceptual framework of the research, we constructed a predict-criterion model
that illustrates the connection between internet addiction and its perceived impact on mental
health. Considering that today's generation relies on the internet most of the time and most
students in PHINMA - Cagayan de Oro College, Puerto Campus use the internet for
communication, education, and as an escape where they can freely express themselves. This
piqued the researcher's interest to conduct a study where they can determine the impact of
internet addiction and its causes. Mental health is a state of well-being that can easily affect how
we think, feel, and act. So a little negative change in our mental health could trigger issues that
can affect our well-being. Internet addiction is considered a negative impact on our mental health,
for the reason that it may lead to depression and anxiety, sleep disorders, and decreased social
skills—despite the internet's help in our performance, too much usage can result in poor academic
or work performance, physical health problems, and impaired decision-making. Mental health is
impacted by the core causes of internet addiction. Finding out some of the underlying causes of
internet addiction is something that the researchers are also curious about. We determine that
there are four underlying causes: easy access to the internet, escapism, social media, and mental
health problems. It is simpler for to acquire an addiction thanks to the internet's widespread
accessibility. Anyone may access the internet from practically any place, and it is accessible
around the clock. Escapism: People can escape from their real-world troubles and obligations by
using the internet as a type of escapism. Social media and social media platforms can be
addicting because they're made to keep users interested for long periods. Addiction risk can be
increased by mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD.

To show the relationship between the research variables, a Conceptual Framework was
used in the study. It outlined having each variable work together to develop cogent results and
highlighted the pertinent research process objectives. The study seeks to identify the mental
health problems brought on by internet addiction and find out it's root causes.
DEFINITION OF TERMS

Internet - is a vast network that connects computers all over the world.
Addiction - the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity.
Internet Addiction - is characterized by excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, urges or
behaviours regarding computer use and internet access that lead to impairment or distress.
Mental Health - a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.
Well-being - the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.
Psychological Functioning - can be defined as how emotions, brain functioning, life
circumstances, intellect, thinking patterns and level of consciousness affect mood and cognitive
abilities.
Depression - (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively
affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.
Anxiety - a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness; It might cause you to sweat, feel restless and
tense, and have a rapid heartbeat; It can be a normal reaction to stress.
Stress - can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation.
Shutdown Law - prohibits online game companies from providing services to youth under the age
of 16 between midnight and 6 a.m.
ADHD - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a condition that affects people's behaviour.
People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse.