Age, loneliness and time spent online in female explain a high percentage of variability of the Internet Addiction Test

OBJECTIVE: A high percentage of young people show a Problematic Internet Use (PIU). In literature, level and trend of PIU, the network usage and the impact of time spent online are not univocal. Our study aims to assess the level and trend of PIU, investigate the relationship between PIU and some socio-demographic and Internet use related factors and psychological variables among female adolescents and young adults. DESIGN: The sample involved 135 female students (mean age 17.69 ±2.95), divided in three subgroups according to age (men age 14.87 ±0.5; 17.72 ±0.52; 20.67 ±2.29). Besides sociodemographic and Internet use related factors, data were collected to investigate the level of PIU, loneliness and subclinical autistic traits. RESULTS: A high proportion of participants have PIU (42.2%; N=57), with a significant reduction in risk with increasing age. Severe Internet addiction was recorded in 0.7% (N=1). Age, loneliness and time spent online are predictors for PIU (R2=0.65). Subclinical autistic traits result to be correlated with loneliness. Among the participants, 65.92% use Internet for social networking, and 71.9% at risk of PIU use social networks. CONCLUSION: Females show high level of PIU, and spend much time connected to the Internet, mainly on social networks. Additionally, some personality traits are associated with PIU. Taken together, these findings suggest the importance of guiding young people to a conscious and planned use of the Internet, and organizing interventions aimed at improving cognitive flexibility and socialization.