DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i08.041

Pages: 2936-2942

In the new generation, the Internet has become an important tool for education, entertainment, communication, and information-sharing. In tandem with the splurge in access to the Internet globally, the risk of “internet addiction” is emerging as a significant behavioral addiction pandemic. In present cross sectional study, 212 students (143 Male and 69 Female) among total 425 medical students of 1st, 2nd and 3rd year MBBS, who were using internet daily and consented to participate were included. Young’s Internet Addiction Test (YIAT20) was used to study the level of internet addiction. Higher internet addiction score was observed in male as compared to female. Median Internet addiction score among male was 43 as compared to 27 among female and the difference was statistically significant. Statistically significant difference was also observed for median time spent on internet for non educational purpose, median total time spent on internet, money spent per month for internet. Male had statistically significant higher problem of change of lifestyle, Sleep disturbance. Change in dietary behavior, Depression, disturbance in study and relationship problem were also found more among male compared to female. Thus, watch over the use of internet by parents and colleges necessary to prevent and stop emerging internet addiction.