Internet Addiction-A Medical Student’s Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53555/ejac.v20i2.1184Abstract
Internet addiction, also known as problematic internet use or pathological internet use, which is generally defined as problematic, compulsive use of the internet, that results in significant impairment in an individual's function in various life domains over a prolonged period of time. With online classes being the latest in medical education, students have more internet exposure when compared to their peers. After the inception of the World Wide Web, Internet addiction has developed into a global issue influencing varying segments of the population at different levels1. Despite the wide range of benefits that the Internet provides us, there comes the issue of Internet addiction, also known as problematic internet use or pathological internet use, which is generally defined as problematic, compulsive use of the internet, that results in significant impairment in an individual's function in various life domains over a prolonged period of time. This article highlights the negative impact that internet addiction has on medical students affecting their sleep quality, academic performance and interpersonal relationships. Knowing these issues helps policy makers and educational institutions to implement mental health and educational organizations would design programs that focus on educating medical students to improve skills in building behavior plans and enhance their attempts in preventing development of internet addiction during their study period.
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