Internet behind mental illness among 86% students: Survey

At least 86 per cent of students suffer from mental illness due to using internet while 70.73 per cent are badly affected by the usage of electronic devices for various purposes, including studies, finds a study by Aachol Foundation.

Among the students surveyed, 18.6 per cent are madrasa level and English medium higher secondary level students, 64.3 per cent are graduate level students, 8.4 per cent are post graduate level students, and 8.7 per cent are looking for work or searching for an income source.

These statistics emphasise the need to investigate the relationship between internet and mental health of the youth community, the study said.

According to the survey, 38.2 per cent of students use internet for academic purposes, 42.9 per cent for communication, 67.5 per cent for pleasure, 8 per cent for financial transactions, 24.9 per cent for online gaming or watching movies, and 12.6 per cent for online shopping.

Unlimited usage is rising

In terms of time spent online, 32.3 per cent of internet users stay logged in for two to four hours every day. 110 students, or 5.4 per cent, use internet for no more than an hour, 36.6 per cent between five and seven hours, 19.5 per cent between eight and 10 hours, and 6.2 per cent for 11 hours or more.

Terrible consequences

The study found that 34.3 per cent of students felt their everyday lives were being negatively impacted by their use of internet. 57.2 per cent claimed that it had a slightly negative impact on everyday living.

Besides, 59.6 per cent believed that their inability to concentrate on their schoolwork was caused by the time spent online, 17.8 per cent engaged in online bullying, betting, cybercrime, and pornography.

According to the survey results, 23 per cent gradually became more introverted, 35.6 per cent underwent various forms of stress, including depression, and 20.3 per cent developed social isolation.

Losing concentration in studies

In the study, 94.1 per cent of students said they utilise internet for academic purposes while 80.1 per cent said they have a significant interest in using internet for such purposes because of their addiction.

The survey findings indicate that 52.6 per cent of students find it difficult to focus when they use internet while studying. In addition, 25.2 per cent have trouble recalling what they have read, 57 per cent waste their time, 31.2 per cent are reluctant to read, and 35.5 per cent go insane.

Family relationship

In the study, 3.5 per cent of students reported that they never communicate with their relatives while 19.2 per cent admitted that they do not communicate with their families very often. Not having enough conversation with families creates a distance between parents and children.

Social relationship

Family and social ties have suffered as a result of internet use. The survey results show 23.6 per cent isolated themselves and made a virtual world. 19.5 per cent have trouble finding people to talk openly.

Besides, 9.9 per cent have trouble blending in socially, 9 per cent are frequently bothered by others, and 8.7 per cent are concerned about people. On the other hand, 29.3 per cent of students informed that their social relationships are not affected by their internet use.