Internet Addiction and Sleep Quality Among School Children in South India

The average age of the participants is 13 years. 49 (26.1%) are children and 139 (73.9%) are adolescents. The majority of them are females belonging to the adolescent age group (169, 89.4%). Around 17 (19.5%) children and 70 (80.5%) adolescents reported mild IA. Thirteen (59.1%) children and nine (40.9%) adolescents reported moderate IA. There is no significant difference in sleep quality between children and adolescents (4±2.33 vs. 3.62±2.61, p=0.37) but there is a considerable difference in their levels of IA (32.98±21.06 vs. 25.6±15.08, p=0.01). Conclusion: This study found a significant relationship between IA and poor sleep quality among adolescents. Thus, adolescents, parents, school authorities, and researchers should understand the importance of regulating internet usage and encouraging sleep hygiene. Thus, appropriate measures should be taken to address the effects of IA on sleep quality.