Prevalence of Internet Addiction and Impact of Internet Socialization on Professional, Academic, Social Lives and Sleep Pattern among Master’s Level Students at the Faculty of Medical Technical Sciences, UMT.

Background: The pervasive use of the internet has reshaped education and social communication, but has also raised serious concerns regarding excessive usage, particularly among FSHMT students, University of Medicine, Tirana. Internet addiction is increasingly linked to negative impacts on academic performance, social behavior, and sleep quality. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of internet addiction and investigate effect on academic performance, sleep pattern and social satisfaction among master’s students at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Tirana. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 180 master’s students using a self-reported questionnaire that included Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); the questionnaire had additional questions that related to GPA and social interaction preferences. Statistical analysis, including ANOVA, was used to identify significant associations. Results: A total of 77% of students demonstrated at least mild levels of internet addiction, 36.1 % of them were at moderately addicted levels and only 7.2 % of them severely addicted. Students with hight hours using the internet (greater than six hours a day) were significantly more likely to have poor quality sleep, 84.4 % and lower GPA’s. Mean GPA decreased from 3.45 (normal use) to 2.41 (severe addiction) with statistical significance (p < 0.01). It was significantly interesting that students relying on online socialization reported lower satisfaction 36.2%, compared to those engaging in in-person interactions 73.3%. Conclusion. The study identifies that among students master’s level the science of medical in FSHMT-Tirana have a high prevalence of internet addiction that significantly impacts their sleep quality, GPA (academic performance), and social well-being. These findings highlight the urgent need for institutional interventions, including digital wellness programs, mental health supports, and awareness strategies to encourage healthier online habits.