Neuropsychological And Behavioral Correlates Of Excessive Internet Use In Early Adolescents In Rajasthan

Internet addiction in adolescents has become a serious issue, especially in states that have recorded high levels of digital growth like Rajasthan. Patterns of usage increasingly lean toward recreational and social platforms, raising concerns about potential impacts on mental health, cognitive functioning, and academic performance. This study combines behavioral measures with district level contextual measures to offer a more complete picture of adolescent internet use as well as its related consequences. Quantitative values of the level of internet addiction, the motive of its use, and the psychological and cognitive tests were examined and compared with official data of the educational facilities, access to ICT, and socio-economic factors. The findings indicate a high rate of non-academic internet usage with an increase in the scores of addictions being associated with a high depression, anxiety, and stress levels, low attention span and academic performance. Results of contextual analysis indicate that there are considerable differences in ICT facilities, ownership of devices and access to educational resources in urban and rural areas, implying that both access and use patterns are dependent on infrastructural and socio-economic aspects. These results indicate that specific measures are needed to promote both digital access and responsible use, with school-based programs and policy efforts being used to minimize possible harms and maximize the positive potential of internet connectivity on adolescent development.