Abstract:
Background: Smartphone ownership had a significant association with problematic use of the
internet and internet addiction. Objectives: are to determine the prevalence of problematic internet
use (PIU) through smartphone among adolescents and assess the sociodemographic characteristics
affecting the internet use through smartphone and the effect of misuse on family and peer relations.
Methodology: analytic cross- sectional study was carried out on 454 preparatory and secondary
private school students in Sohag City, Egypt. Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was used to measure
the internet use. Results: PIU was reported among 52.4% of the students whereas internet addiction
(IA) occurred among 4% of the students. The mean score of IAT was significantly higher among
males than females (54.7±16.9 versus 49.9±15.4 respectively, P= 0.002). social media activities
were significantly higher among males (88.0%) whereas educational internet activities were
significantly higher among females (75.2%). PIU and IA through smartphone was significantly
higher among adolescents whom fathers were highly educated (56.0% &5.6% respectively) and
among adolescents who had internet access at home (81.9% & 88.9% respectively). Bad/neutral
relations with family members were significantly higher among those with PIU and IA (61.3 &7.5%
respectively). Conclusion and recommendations: PIU through smartphones is prevalent among
adolescents, males are more involved specially in social media activities. The PIU is significantly
higher when internet access is available at home and among those whom fathers are highly
educated. Bad family relation is significantly higher among adolescents with PIU and IA.
Interactive and media awareness programs and parents control and restriction of smartphone use
among adolescents are required.
Key Words:
Problematic Internet Use, Internet addiction, smartphone, Adolescents, Egypt