DIGITAL DEPENDENCE: ANALYSING INTERNET ADDICTION ACROSS DEMOGRAPHICS AMONG UG STUDENTS OF PURULIA DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL

This study explored the differences in internet addiction among undergraduate students in the Purulia district of West Bengal, focusing on three key factors: residence (Rural and Urban), gender (Male and Female), and academic stream (Arts and Science). The research hypothesized no significant differences in internet addiction based on these variables. A descriptive survey method was employed, with a sample 400 undergraduate students selected through simple random sampling. The Internet Addiction Test scale by Young (1998) was used to measure internet addiction. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26.0, applying descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (t-test). The study concluded that internet addiction is prevalent among undergraduate students in Purulia district, but demographic and academic factors such as residence, gender, and stream did not significantly influence the levels of addiction.