Examining the Prevalence and Impacts of Online Addiction among Youth due to Digital Dependency: A Study in Dhaka Metropolitan City

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape of the 21st century, the internet has become an integral part of daily life, especially for the youth. While this technological advancement has brought about numerous benefits, it has also given rise to a concerning issue: online addiction. The proliferation of smartphones and affordable internet access has dramatically increased the time youth spend online.100% of youth in Dhaka city are involve in online activities by using electronic devices like smart phone, computer, smart TV. Majority of the youth used online platform not for productive purpose. 77.77% respondent are addicted to Facebook as social media and check notification on mean 3 minutes during free time. No one is out of gaming experience in their youth age. 35 respondents out of 90 consist 38.88% high level involvement in online game where 47% in medium level and 15% are low level gamer. About OTT platforms, Netflix stood out as the dominant choice with 42 individuals, accounting for 46.46%. Amazon Prime was the second most popular platform, chosen by 30 respondents or 33.33% of the sample. 100% that means total 90 respondents’ responses that they watch videos, including YouTube and TikTok for 3-4 hours in a day. Based on the provided data, it can be established that the youth in Dhaka city are experiencing online addiction. The universal use of electronic devices, extensive engagement with social media and online gaming, substantial daily time spent online, preference for nighttime usage, and the reported negative impacts collectively support this study hypothesis. This study illuminates the urgent need for targeted interventions in addressing internet addiction. This research provides vital insights into prevalence rates, behavioral patterns, and the socio-psychological ramifications of excessive internet usage, offering a roadmap for tailored solutions to safeguard youth wellbeing in the digital age.