Changes in Internet Activities and Influencing Factors for Problematic Internet Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korean Adolescents: Repeated Cross-Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

As adolescents increasingly engage with digital experiences, the internet serves as a platform for social interaction, entertainment, and learning. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend, with remote learning and restricted physical interactions driving changes in internet behavior. Adolescents spent more time on gaming and social media, reflecting a notable shift in use patterns.

Objective

We hypothesized that the COVID-19 pandemic changed internet use patterns among Korean adolescents, including content types, time spent on web-based activities, and pathological use prevalence. Additionally, we anticipated that these changes would correlate with shifts in adolescents' psychological status during the pandemic.

Methods

Data from 827 adolescents aged 1

SUBMITTER: Kim SI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11862775 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature