Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to assess the problematic internet use among university students and its effects on their health. METHODS: The study is applied to students who get their university education at the Faculty of Health Sciences. The data is collected using a questionnaire which includes questions on socio-demographic characteristics, internet use, and its effects on health, together with the generalized problematic internet use scale 2 (GPIUS 2). RESULTS: The GPIUS 2 average of the students is found to be 50.6±19.6. For those students who use the internet daily for 2 hours or more; the total GPIUS 2 score, deficient self-regulation score (P<0.001), mood regulation score (P<0.05) and negative outcomes score (P<0.05) are significantly higher. The students have indicated that they mostly suffer from problems related to the eyes and in the psychological sense they are affected negatively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Since nowadays internet is an indispensable part of our daily lives, it will be useful to conduct studies about its effects on health and about the conscious use of the internet.

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