Effects of Internet Addiction among Male and Female College Students

Abstract

The proliferation of internet use among college students has raised concerns about the psychological and behavioral implications of excessive online engagement. This study investigates the effects of internet addiction among male and female college students in Anand, using the standardized Internet Addiction Test (IAT) developed by Kimberly Young (1998). A sample of 200 students (100 males and 100 females) was selected using stratified random sampling from various colleges in the region. The study found a higher prevalence of Internet addiction among female students compared to males, likely due to differences in usage patterns and psychological factors. Additionally, students from urban areas exhibited significantly higher levels of Internet addiction than their rural counterparts. However, no significant interaction effect was observed between gender and residential area on Internet addiction levels among college students.