A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON FACTORS INFLUENCING & EFFECT OF INTERNET ADDICTION AMONG ADOLESCENTS, URBAN MAHABUBNAGAR, TELANGANA

Introduction: Internet addiction is when a person has a compulsive need to spend a great deal of time on the internet to the point where other areas of life are allowed to suffer.²The vulnerability of adolescence might result in some addictive behaviors and the internet is one among them.⁴, so it is important to recognize the factors influencing and effect of internet addiction among adolescents.

Methodology: A Cross-sectional study was conducted in the Urban field practicing area of Government Medical College, Mahbubnagar among 150 students studying in 8^th, 9^th, 10^th standards, Intermediate and Degree.Data was collected using pre-tested semi structured questionnaire, and analyzed using MS Excel.

Results: Among the study participants, easy accessibility to internet is the most common factor influencing internet addiction followed by having own electronic gadget, having own social media account. Among many effects of Internet addiction, sleep disturbance is most significant followed by drop in academic performance.

Conclusion: Present study conclude that majority of the study population are addicted to internet which is found to have a powerful impact on adolescents physical and mental health. Potential factors influencing Internet addiction are easy access, having own social media account.