Problematic internet use, cyberbullying and mental health in Brazilian, Spanish, and Portuguese university students

Introduction: The Internet and new technologies have become an indispensable resource in our era, although, if not used properly, they can have serious consequences. This study analyses problematic Internet use, cyberbullying and mental health (anxiety and depression), at an international level, in university populations in Spain, Portugal and Brazil, as well as differences according to age and gender. Method: A stratified study sample of 1957 university students from Spain, Portugal and Brazil was used, with a mean age of 21.4 years (SD=3.28) and 62.3% female. Results: Brazilian university students have higher scores on depression, problematic internet use, mobile phone addiction and cyberbullying than Spanish and Portuguese university students, with no differences between the latter two countries. However, anxiety is similar in all 3 countries. Being a female university student implies higher scores on depression, anxiety and more problematic mobile phone use, but less problematic internet use and less cyberaggression than men. With respect to age, younger university students show higher scores on anxiety, more problematic internet and mobile phone use and more cyber aggression. However, age does not show differences in depression and cyber-victimization. Conclusions: Brazil is the country with the highest mental health difficulties and risks associated with internet use. Female university students are more likely to have mental health difficulties. Younger university students score higher on all variables except depression and cybervictimisation.