What is the prevalence of internet addiction among Brazilian adolescents?

André Luiz Monezi Andrade, Research professor at Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas. Campinas, SP, Brazil

Researchers of the Federal University of Sao Paulo and the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (CRUZ et al., 2018) have recently published a study that evaluates the impact of Internet dependence on the quality of life of Brazilian students. It is a novel study in Brazil, published in the Revista Estudos de Psicologia (Campinas, Vol. 35, No. 2) under the title: “Evaluation of Internet addiction and the quality of life of Brazilian adolescents from public and private schools.” The theme of this study is innovative, as it focuses on the association between quality of life and Internet dependence among Brazilian students attending public and private schools.

This study was performed with 254 students aging 15 to 18 years, 159 from public schools and 95 attending private schools. The researchers detected that 24% and 10% of the students studying at public and private schools, respectively, met criteria for Internet dependence. Additionally, over half of the students reported using their smartphones during meals and almost 30% when they are in the bathroom.

Another result that stood out was the lack of limits parents impose on their children about the use of cell phones. In this study, 82% of the students attending private schools stated their parents do not set any limits to the use of the Internet. Among the students attending public schools, this number was 60%. One of the most serious consequences found in studies of digital dependence is that the excessive use of Internet might be associated with the low quality of life of those individuals. In this work, researchers observed that the Internet-dependent students have lower levels of quality of life in the emotional and social domains.

Based on the results, the researchers concluded there is an association between low levels of quality of life and excessive use of the Internet. Several scientific works detected this association in users of different profiles as well, that is, adults, college students and adolescents. Especially concerning the latter, which were the target of this research, parental supervision and clear rules and limits regarding the use of Internet might be a protective factor to possible emotional problems those adolescents have as a result of Internet use.

The research had the support of Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES).

To read the article, access

CRUZ, F. A. D., SCATENA, A., ANDRADE, A. L. M. and MICHELI, D. Evaluation of Internet addiction and the quality of life of Brazilian adolescents from public and private schools. Estud. psicol. (Campinas) [online]. 2018, vol.35, n.2, pp.193-204. ISSN 0103-166X. [viewed 16 August 2018]. DOI: 10.1590/1982-02752018000200008. Available from: http://ref.scielo.org/6t3b64

External link

Psychological Studies (Campinas) – ESTPSI: www.scielo.br/estpsi