Author(s): KM Saflata, Rajani Kumari and Achla Gakkhar

Abstract:
The quick spread of internet connectivity has had a significant impact on how young people communicate, learn, and pass the time. Even while the internet has many social and intellectual advantages, college students' over usage of it has sparked worries about internet addiction. The incidence and contributing factors of internet addiction among college-bound teenagers in the Agra area are examined in this study. Multistage stratified random selection was used to choose a sample of 100 students, 50 of whom were undergraduates and 50 of whom were postgraduates, and who were between the ages of 18 and 26. Age, gender, and educational attainment are the study's independent factors, while the degree of internet addiction is its dependent variable. A standardized Internet Addiction Test (IAT), created by Dr. Kimberly Young, was used to gather the data. It divides users into four categories: normal, mild, moderate, and severe addiction. The purpose of the study was to investigate variations in addiction levels according to educational attainment and demographic characteristics. The results showed that mild internet addiction was very common, especially among male students and postgraduates. The degree of internet addiction was shown to be significantly influenced by age and educational attainment, with gender disparities also being noticeable. In order to control and lessen pupils' excessive internet use, the study emphasizes the necessity of early intervention and awareness campaigns. It is advised that educational institutions have regulated internet usage regulations, counseling services, and digital literacy initiatives. Policymakers, educators, and mental health professionals may use this study as a resource and add to the expanding body of information on internet addiction.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/23957476.2025.v11.i2k.1944