Risk of Problematic Internet Use According to Dominant Handedness in Adolescents

Objective: To investigate whether left or right-handedness influences adolescents’ risk of problematic internet use (PIU). Methods: The study conducted with Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University students utilized a cross-sectional method. A self-reported questionnaire was completed by the participants regarding demographics. To ascertain the dominant hand and evaluate the extent of problematic internet usage (PIU), the short version of the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI) and Young’s internet addiction test (IAT) were used. Young’s IAT scores were analyzed according to handedness and in between left-handers. Results: The questionnaires were filled out by 1186 university students aged 18-21. The rate of left-handedness was 10.5%, which was more common in males than females (12.6% vs. 9.5%, p < .01). The IAT score of the left-handed males was 37.02±24.02, while the score of the left-handed female was 32.74±16.74 (p < .05). The overall prevalence of PIU was 18.8%. Males also had higher IAT scores (p < .05). There was no difference in test scores based on the dominant hand (p > .05). The risk of problematic internet use increased by 1.42 times more for males (p > .05 and p < .05, 95% CI: 1.04–1.94, respectively). Conclusion: Adolescents’ PIU cannot be predicted by their dominant hand. However, male left-handers are more prone to PIU behavior.