Pathological internet use among Romanian children and teenagers

Abstract

Background:

Over the last few years, there has been increased interest in the addictive potential of the internet. The current study was an attempt to replicate common findings in the literature and provide more evidence for the existence of internet addiction among school students - a population considered to be especially vulnerable.

Studies of general internet users suggest that some children's may experience psychological problems such as social isolation, depression, loneliness, and time mismanagement related to their internet use and failure at school.

Methods:

All of the students (N = 650) came from 7 gymnasium schools and 6 high schools of Iasi, Romania. The students answered to a questionnaire comprising 34 questions related to computer activities. These were aimed at highlighting: 1. The frequency of internet use by the students; 2. The identification of a psychological problems; 3. Identification of a possible internet addiction.

Results show that the school students prefer to spend a considerable amount of time with their computers, over 5 hours/day. The purpose of this article is to describe how internet use affect socialization, academic performance, personality and to discuss how identity are constructed in cyberspace.

Conclusion:

Excessive amounts of time at a computer can contribute to undeveloped social skills and a form of addictive behaviour, and failure at school. Internet addiction is marked by symptoms of increasing tolerance, withdrawal, mood changes, and interruption of social relationships. The results show that the parents don't recognize internet addiction.