Prevalence of Internet Addiction Disorders and its Psychological Impacts Among Adolescents in Pakistan, A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, the Internet plays a key role in human daily life. Due to the devastating increase in the number of internet users all over the world. Recently, a significant rise in internet addiction has been reported in Pakistan affecting the psychological well-being of individuals.

Objectives: (1) To evaluate the effects of excessive internet use among adolescents over 13 years in Pakistan. (2) To determine the prevalence of internet addiction based on gender disparity among adolescents in Pakistan. (3) To identify the psychological impact among adolescents due to excessive internet use.

Methods: A systematic review based on published articles identified through different databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, EBSCO, and Google Scholar. The prevalence of internet addiction was calculated using the internet addiction test (IAT) and psychological outcomes by different assessment scales, including the psychological well-being scale, behavior pattern scale, loneliness scale, Beck anxiety scale, and cyber aggression scale.

Results: Fifteen articles were selected that reported that there is a significant rise in the prevalence of internet addiction varying from 40% to 90% in adolescents, and males reported a greater level of prevalence as compared to females. In addition, there is a significant relationship between internet addiction and depression, emotional disturbance, and stress, and the p-value is <0.05. Moreover, anxiety, loneliness, self-esteem, shyness, and procrastination have also been reported in the participants.

Conclusions: It concluded a significant rise in the prevalence of internet addiction among adolescents in Pakistan and affecting the psychological well-being of the individual. Different strategies have been suggested to lower the number of internet addictions and promote physical and mental health.