Social networks have had a major influence on students’ performance in recent years. These networks create many opportunities and threats for students in various fields. Addiction to social networking and its impact on students’ academic performance caused the researcher to design and conduct this study. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between social networking addiction and academic performance of students in Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 360 students were enrolled by stratified random sampling. The study tools included personal information form and the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale. Also, the students’ overall grade obtained in previous educational term was considered as the indicator of academic performance. Data were analyzed using SPSS-18.0 and descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean social networking addiction was higher in male students (52.65 ± 11.50) than in female students (49.35 ± 13.96) and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). There was a negative and significant relationship between students’ addiction to social networking and their academic performance (r = − 0.210, p < 0.01). The social networking addiction of the students was at moderate level and the male students had a higher level of addiction compared to the female students. There was a negative and significant relationship between the overall use of social networks and academic performance of students. Therefore, it is imperative that the university authorities take interventional steps to help students who are dependent on these networks and, through workshops, inform them about the negative consequences of addiction to social networks.

/pdf/the-relationship-between-social-networking-addiction-and-38pnsumfoy.pdf

The relationship between social networking addiction and academic performance in Iranian students of medical sciences: a cross-sectional study

Global prevalence of digital addiction in general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Profiles and sociodemographic correlates of Internet addiction in early adolescents in southern China.

With increasing use of the Internet throughout our daily lives, Internet use disorders (IUDs) due to addictive behaviors are gaining recognition. As an umbrella term, IUD covers an array of online behaviors that are potentially addictive. The growing population of Internet and smartphone users also raised public health concerns over IUD in regard to adverse cognitive, developmental, psychosocial, and physical consequences. While scientific literature to date has tended to focus on specific forms of IUD such as gaming or pornography, confining our attention to only these specific areas may impede research on the combined effects of multiple online addictive behaviors—often the clinical reality in maladapted Internet use. Taking this broader approach may also facilitate prioritization in policymaking and more efficient allocation of public health and clinical resources. This paper discusses conceptual application of a public health model at the society level and an integrative model at the individual level in IUD intervention strategies. Current treatment modalities of IUD are also reviewed from a biopsychosocial perspective. We propose that the harms of IUD are mediated by (1) risky/harmful content, (2) excessive/maladaptive use, and (3) financial burden. Prevention strategies that reduce the potential negative effects of these mediators may be useful against IUD. Prevention and intervention efforts against IUD should not only target the “host” (individual vulnerabilities) but also the “agent” (media-related risks) and “environment” risks to better address complexities in the phenomena. The current mainstream therapeutic modality is psychosocial intervention. Further studies on psychopharmacology and neuromodulation are needed to broaden our therapeutic options for IUD.tf

/pdf/prevention-strategies-and-interventions-for-internet-use-7o8rcugj9g.pdf

Prevention Strategies and Interventions for Internet Use Disorders Due to Addictive Behaviors Based on an Integrative Conceptual Model

We aimed to discuss several selected topics related to problematic Internet use (PIU), including fear of missing out, nomophobia, cyberchondria, cyberbullying, and certain health conditions (e.g. autism-spectrum disorder and schizophrenia) among youth. We also aimed to review some recent evidence examining PIU during COVID-19. The review was conducted using keywords relevant to the selected topics and searching in the PubMed database and Google Scholar. The results of this review indicate that PIU could be associated with health issues in a minority of the youth population. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to PIU and subsequent health problems. Information from this review could help healthcare providers to design individualized and appropriate interventions to tackle health issues related to PIU among youth. 

/pdf/problematic-internet-use-piu-in-youth-a-brief-literature-14i7crxm.pdf

Problematic Internet use (PIU) in youth: a brief literature review of selected topics

B ackground: The internet has unique properties that include ease of access, ease of use, low cost, anonymity, and its attractiveness which resulted in problems such as internet addiction. Different statistics has been reported about internet addiction rate, but there is not a suitable estimation about the growth of Internet addiction in Iran. The aim of this study is to analyze the growth of Internet addiction in Iran using meta-analysis method. Methods: At the first stage, by searching in scientific databases such as Magiran, SID, Scopus, ISI, Embase and use of keywords like Internet addiction, 30 articles were chosen. The outcomes of the study combined together with using meta-analysis method (random effects model). The analysis of the data was performed using R and Stata software. Findings: Based on 30 studies and sample size of 30439, the growth rate of Internet addiction based on the random effects model was 8% [with confidence interval (CI) of 95%]. The meta regression model showed that the trend of Internet addiction growth rate in Iran increased from 1385 to 1394. Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence of Internet addiction in Iran seems moderate. Therefore, the necessity of identification, treatment, and prevention of the age groups which are at the risk is being sensed by the responsible and related authorities.

http://ahj.kmu.ac.ir/article_84735_7d65d68ea560b8049cb1c46866eca8ad.pdf

Fatemeh Maleki

Papers

Prevalence of Internet Addiction in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis