Nivel de adicción al internet y comportamiento adictivo de los niños de sexto y séptimo grado de la Escuela Carlos Crespi. Cuenca 2016

Abstract

Background: Children are now rapidly developing a culture of digital media; this creates great promises and concerns as there may be an addictive effect, which may affect the mental and physical well-being of children.

Objective: To determine the level of internet addiction and addictive behavior of children in sixth and seventh grades of Carlos Crespi school. Cuenca 2016.

METHOD AND MATERIALS: Cross-sectional descriptive method. Through the interview of Dr. Kimberly Young "Internet Addiction Test". The results were presented using frequency and percentage tables.

Results: Of a total of 176 children surveyed, 60.8% made a controlled use of the internet; 34.7% are in a mild level of Internet addiction, 4.5% are within a moderate level, and 0% are at a severe or severe level. The results for the identified addictive behaviors were: Internet connection more than expected: always: 13.6%; Neglect in household chores: frequently 4.5%, Affection in the performance of studies: frequently 4.5%. Feeling of discomfort: often 5.7%. Use of the internet to relieve feelings of anger and sadness: always 11.4%. Loss of hours of sleep and rest: quite often 5.1%.

Conclusion: Children, for the most part, make controlled use of the internet; there is a percentage of children who are in a mild and moderate level of addiction. The addictive behaviors that they develop are: internet connection more than expected time, neglect in their household tasks, impaired performance of studies, feeling of annoyance, use of the internet to relieve feelings of anger and sadness and loss of hours of dream