The Relationship between Internet Addiction and Adolescents' Demographic Characteristics in Salah Aldeen Governorate

Abstract

A descriptive correlational design is used to the relationship between internet addiction and adolescents' demographic characteristics in Salah Aldeen governorate in Iraq, during the period of (October 10th, 2020 to March 20th, 2021). A convenient sample of 520 students’ non- probability is taken for the purpose of achieving the objectives of the study. Data was collected through the use of a self-report questionnaire.

Results of the study show that the highest percentage of students is between (16-18) years old. Most of them are male. The highest percentage of participants for the sixth classes, 99% use the internet. Using the internet for socializing, entertainment and study, the family's income was average. Most of them live in the city, most of their parents are employed, and one third of their fathers hold a bachelor's degree or university degree, and they use cell phones in the internet.

The study concluded that most students have an average level of internet addiction, and males are more affected than females. The study recommends that more studies be conducted to measure the rate of internet addiction among adolescent students, increasing culture and awareness in the use of the internet by parents and educational staff through educational lessons about the dangers of using the internet inappropriately and developing special curricula for this purpose.