International Journal of Humanities & Social Science Studies (IJHSSS)

A Peer-Reviewed Bi-monthly Bi-lingual Research Journal

ISSN: 2349-6959 (Online), ISSN: 2349-6711 (Print)
ISJN: A4372-3142 (Online) ISJN: A4372-3143 (Print)
Volume-IX, Issue-V, September 2023, Page No.154-163
Published by Scholar Publications, Karimganj, Assam, India, 788711
Website: [Link]
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.v9.i5.2023.154-163
Effect of Internet Addiction on Aggression and Attention Span In
Adolescents: Empirical Investigation
Aarti Shukla
Assistant Professor, Amity Institute of Clinical Psychology (AICP), Amity University Haryana
Mustafa Nadeem Kirmani
Associate Professor, Amity Institute of Clinical Psychology (AICP), Amity University Haryana

Abstract:
Nowadays, internet use and over use is very common among adolescents. This could be a
kind of behavioural addiction in which adolescents could have many behavioural problems
like temperament issues or they find difficulty sustaining their focus on certain important
tasks. Symptoms of internet addiction affect emotional behavioural problems and attention
focus in some aspects. This study aims to assess the effect of internet addiction on
adolescent’s aggression and attention span. The study was conducted on adolescent males
and females. The consent form, socio-demographic, Internet addiction test, Child Behaviour
Checklist (CBCL), and The Digit Memory Test was used for the collection of data. The
behaviour and attention span of 60 adolescents were assessed. T-test and correlational
analysis had been used. The results indicated significant relationship between internet
addiction, behavioural problems, and attention concentration. Thus, if an individual has an
internet addiction, then adolescents’ behaviour and attention span will be affected
significantly. Internet addiction is related to emotional behavior problems and reduced
focus in life. This study will be helpful in developing management plans for adolescents to
reduce behavioral problems and increase attention concentration by professionals. There is
a strong need to develop research projects to examine these variables among the
adolescents and also a need to train this population to healthy use of technology.
Key Words: Internet addiction, behavioral problems, aggression, attention, attention
span.
Introduction: Any kind of behavioral addiction is just a reaction of impulsivity and
compulsion. As we know addiction is a behavior that we cannot control whether we don’t
want to do, and the behavior produces short-term reward Also, we can define this it’s
nonsubstance addiction like binge-watching, internet addiction, video games, online
shopping, and other impulsive or compulsive behavior. This behavior urges the need to use
Volume-IX, Issue-V September 2023 154
Effect of Internet Addiction on Aggression and … Aarti Shukla & Mustafa Nadeem Kirmani
of internet on a computer, or any screen like a TV or mobile. Excessive internet use
interferes with responsibilities they neglect or avoid household chores. Internet addiction
use also changes behavior or increases aggressiveness and resentful verbal outbursts at
others when they question leaving the screen or try to take away their time from using the
Internet use on mobile or computer. Excessive Internet use interferes with real life like
interpersonal relationship, study, work, and health Also excessive Internet use impair
academic and poor integration in extracurricular activities or those who are using the
Internet respond to confusion, and frustration around the computer. Also, the disadvantages
of Internet use make students visit irrelevant websites, engage in gossip or chatting,
communicate with Internet buddies, and play interactive online games at the price of
productive activity.
However, the internet can be used as a tool for information seeking, education, and
socializing. But when it becomes addictive and affects the personality of the individual, it
spoils daily routines like studies, household chores, physical activity, and sports.
Studies also indicate that the youth population is most vulnerable to internet addiction (Kuss
et al. 2013). Internet Addiction also has been associated with poor academic performance
(Huang & Leung, 2009). Kendall (1998) describes internet addiction as "psychological
dependence." Of the total internet addicts surveyed, Young (1996) found that fifty-three
percent reported severe relationship problems.
Internet Addiction: In Internet compulsion also called Internet addiction persons spend a
lot of working hours at the computer or laptop. They are unable to withstand strong urges to
use the computer or" surf the Web" because of their repeated and continuous patterns of
use. Internet users may be drawn to specific websites that satisfy their needs (such as those
for shopping, sex, and interactive games, for example). Online gaming disorder, a condition
that refers to people who regularly use the Internet to play games to the point where it
interferes with social interactions and work performance, is proposed for further study in
DSM-5.
According to online surveys, 4 to 10 % of users fit the definition of" Internet addiction,"
which includes having at least five of the following symptoms:(1) preoccupation with the
Internet, (2) staying online longer than originally intended (3) increasing the amount of
time spent online, (4) moodiness or depression (5) failure to cut back on use with
accompanying restlessness,; (6) lying to hide the extent of Internet usage; and (7) running
the risk of losing a job, relationship, or other opportunities due to Internet use. Young
created the first screening tool for Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire in 1998. It
was a straightforward yes / no question that was used for online surveys, phone interviews,
and self-evaluation.
Behavioral Problems: Adolescents who develop a habit or compulsion of internet
addiction are more likely to experience behavioral issues. These may include skipping
meals, staying up late, eating meals in front of the computer, having strained relationships
with family and friends, displaying aggressive behavior, and feeling that life is dull and
Volume-IX, Issue-V September 2023 155
Effect of Internet Addiction on Aggression and … Aarti Shukla & Mustafa Nadeem Kirmani
empty without an internet connection. Excessive internet use can lead to increased
psychosocial and psychological harm. Online games offer a means for players to assume a
fictional persona in a virtual realm, allowing them to freely interact with strangers and
escape from reality.
Attention problem: Attention and concentration plays a very important role in individual’s
life. Either it is for study or for work-related. Nowadays it is very difficult to imagine life
without using the internet. Students or adolescents use the internet for study, and to seek
help with any kind of information without paying any charges, however excessive use of the
internet or focusing on the screen negatively reflects on adolescent’s attention.
Literature review: Nowadays internet use is very common. Each and day-to-day life it’s an
important thing for doing most of people’s work. But it also has some drawbacks like
unwillingly wasting our time.
Rajeswari & Lenin (2019 examined and compared Internet usage and aggressive
behavior of standard of IX students. By using a simple random sampling technique, the
sample of 282 9th standard students studied in government and private schools of
Tirunelveli district. Scores obtained from Internet usage scale- A self-made tool by
researcher and Aggression scale- they found that male students had more Internet usage
than female students but the finding revealed that there is no association between Internet
usage and aggressive behavior.
Sharma and De Sousa, (2017) in an overview of Internet Addiction in adolescents. The
review summarizes the causative factors, models, and types of internet addiction along with
the methods used in its management. However, this review does not overall summarize the
basic models of internet addiction and looks at the management approach from a clinician
as well as teacher and parent perspective.
Ikhar, Khushbu, Tanuja, Poonam, Pratiksha and Prawartan (2021) examined the
correlate the Level of Internet Dependence and Associated Behavioral Problems among the
preschool children in the Selected Urban Area of Wardha District. A non-probability
Convenience sampling was used and included 100 preschooler children from the Gajanan
Nagar (Arvi Naka) selected area of the Wardha district. They found that there is an
association between internet dependence and behavioral problems.
Sonia, and Smith(2014) made research review on harms experienced by child users of
online and mobile technologies: The nature, prevalence, and management of sexual and
aggressive risks in the digital age. Their review examined the evidence for aggressive and
sexual harms associated with online and mobile content, contact, and conduct, with a focus
on minors (under 18 years old). The findings are; that the risks of cyberbullying, contact
with strangers, sexual messaging (‘sexting’), and pornography generally affect fewer than
one in five adolescents.
Asma, Raja and, Assad Rahman (2022) investigated the relationship between internet
addiction and aggression among teenagers. Sample (n=200, age 15-19 years) was selected
Volume-IX, Issue-V September 2023 156
Effect of Internet Addiction on Aggression and … Aarti Shukla & Mustafa Nadeem Kirmani
from different schools and colleges in Haripur city. They found in the study that there is a
positive relationship between Internet Addiction and Aggression.
Menon, Shanker, Narayanan, Lakshmi, and Kahwaji, Taha (2018), conducted the study
of Internet Addiction a research Study of College Students in India. The purpose of the
study is a preliminary investigation of the extent of internet addiction in a management
institute in India. The sample was 300 students (first, second-, and third-year students). The
finding is that there is a high degree of correlation between age and internet addiction with
older students being more addicted to the Internet than younger students.
Aim of the study: This study aims to evaluate the impact of internet addiction on
adolescents’ aggression and attention span.
Objectives:

1) To assess the effect of internet addiction on aggression among adolescents.

2) To compare aggression and attention span among adolescents with internet addiction
3) To determine the relationship between aggression and internet addiction among
single adolescents and adolescents with siblings
4) To compare the aggression of males and females with internet addiction.

Hypotheses:

1) There will be no significant relationship between aggression and internet addiction

among adolescents.
2) There will be no difference in the level of aggression and attention span among
adolescents with internet addiction.
3) There will be no significant relationship between aggression and internet addiction
among single adolescents and adolescents with siblings.
4) There will be no significant differences in males and females on aggression with
having internet addiction.

Methodology Design: A cross-sectional research design was used for the current study.
Sample: A purposive sampling method was used for the current research with 60
adolescents (30 male and 30 female).
Tools:
1. Socio-demographic Details: The researchers gathered socio-demographic
information using a self-prepared proforma that they created. This information
included details such as age, gender, education level, religion, marital status,
employment status, income, and family type.

Volume-IX, Issue-V September 2023 157

Effect of Internet Addiction on Aggression and … Aarti Shukla & Mustafa Nadeem Kirmani
2. Internet Addiction Test: This questionnaire consists of 20 statements with each item
being rated on a 5-point scale from 0 to 5 and maximum score of 100 points. The
higher the score is, the higher is the severity of your problem. Scores ranging from 0
to 30 are considered normal for internet usage. Scores of 31 to 49 indicate a mild
level of internet addiction, while scores of 50 to 79 reflects a moderate level. Scores
of 80 to 100 indicate a severe dependence on the internet. The reliability measure
using Cronbach’s Alpha ranged between.54 and 82, and the scale was also found to
have good validity. The reliability measure using Cronbach's Alpha ranged from .54
to .82, and the validity of the scale was also found to be good. Studies conducted in
India also reported high reliability (Krishnamurthy &Chetlapalli, 2013).
3. Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) is a
widely used questionnaire for assessing behavioral and emotional problems, often
used for diagnostic screening. The CBCL measures problems associated with eight
different categories on a syndrome scale: anxious/depressed, withdrawn/depressed,
somatic complaints, social problems, thought problems, attention problems, rule-
breaking behavior, and aggressive behavior. In this research, the CBCL is used to
assess aggression among adolescents with internet addiction. There were 113
question in CBCL which were scored on a three-point Likert scale (0=absent,
1=occurs sometimes, 2=occurs often). , and is suitable for youth aged 6 to 18 years..
Reliability and validity measures indicate good stability over time. One-week test-
retest reliability for CBCL 6 to 18 years of age ranged from .80 to .94, while the 2-
week test-retest reliability for TRF ranged from .60 to .95. Long-term stability of the
CBCL/618 was assessed in a study of low birth weight children, with stabilities
ranging from .43 to .82 over a period of one to two years. The stability of the TRF
was also satisfactory over a 2-month interval, except for Somatic Complaints.
Internal Consistency within the data was commonly reported to be strong across all
variations, as the scales were developed using factor analysis methods.
Two parents rate their child on the CBCL/6-18, with high agreement obtained on
externalizing behavior scales. The reliability of these ratings ranges from moderate to high
with the highest agreement occurring on scales assessing externalizing behavior.

4. The Digit Memory Test: One of the primary tools created to assess one's verbal
working memory, general intelligence, attention, and cognitive functioning is the
Digit Sequence test which was originally designed as an integrated part of the
Wechsler Intelligence Scale. In the current research, this test was used to assess
attention span.

Procedure: Participants taken in this study were from different age groups and gender The
purpose of the research was informed to them. The data was collected from the self-rated
questionnaires, and consent forms were distributed to participants through various offline
Volume-IX, Issue-V September 2023 158
Effect of Internet Addiction on Aggression and … Aarti Shukla & Mustafa Nadeem Kirmani
copies with the instruction to rate and description of the study. The instructions for
collecting information were followed as per their respective manuals. The data was
collected and segregated according to inclusion criteria of study to obtain the results.
Ethical considerations:

1) The participants were assured that confidentiality would be maintained, and the
details of participants would not be disclosed in the dissertation or subsequent
publications without seeking written permission.
2) Informed consent was taken from all the participants.
3) The participants were informed they could contact the investigator if they needed
psychological help.
4) Permission to use questionnaires was taken from all respected authors.

Result:
Table : 1 Sociodemographic details
Variable Sub-category Number Percentage
Age (Years) 10-14 26 41.3
15-18 34 54.0
Gender Male 30 47.6
Female 30 47.6
Socio-Economic status Low 2 3.2
Middle 49 77.8
High 9 14.3
Family type Single adolescent 37 58.7
Siblings 23 38.6

Table 1: It shows that 26 adolescents (41.3%) belongs to the age range of 10-14 years and
34 adolescents (54.0%) belongs to the age range of 15-18 of total data sample were present.
In gender, 30 males, 30 females, and the percentage for males is 47.6% and females are
47.6%. In Socioeconomic status low is 2 which is 3.2%, the middle is 49 which is 77.8%,
and the high is 9 which is 14.3%. In the Family type, single adolescents are 37 and having
siblings 23 the percentage of single adolescents is 58.7% and siblings are 38.6%.

Table 2: Correlation of score on Internet addiction and Aggression among adolescents

Variable Internet Addiction N
Aggression .562** 60

**significant at 0.01 level

Volume-IX, Issue-V September 2023 159
Effect of Internet Addiction on Aggression and … Aarti Shukla & Mustafa Nadeem Kirmani

The purpose of the correlation was to evaluate the connection between internet addiction
and aggression in teenagers. According to the data presented in table 2, there is a notable
and positive correlation between internet addiction and aggression in adolescents. The table
indicates that the correlation coefficient for internet addiction is r=.562**, which is
statistically significant at the 0.01 level. The correlation has been found to be significant
and the strength of the correlation is medium (Cohen, 1988).
Therefore, the null hypothesis is rejected as the findings demonstrate a significant
correlation between these two variables.
Table 3 Frequency of aggression and attention span of adolescents with internet
addiction.
Variable Sub-category Number Percentage
Internet Addiction Not Applicable 00 -
Rarely 00 -
Occasionally 00 -
Frequently 10 15.9
Often 16 25.4
Always 34 54.0
Aggression Not true 17 27.0
Somewhat 20 31.7
Very true 23 36.5
Attention Span 33 52.4
Deficit 27 42.9

Table 3 shows It shows that in internet addiction, 15.9% of participants frequently used the
internet, 25.4% of participants often used the internet, and 54.0% always used the internet.
27% of participants didn’t report getting aggressive, 31.7% of participants somewhat
reported being aggressive, and 36.5% of participants always reported being aggressive.
52.4% of participants reported having no difficulty sustaining attention, and 42.9% of
participants had difficulty sustaining attention.

Table 4:- Correlation of score on aggression and internet addiction among single
adolescents and siblings.
Variable Internet Addiction N
Family Type -.869** 60
** Significant at .05 level.

Volume-IX, Issue-V September 2023 160

Effect of Internet Addiction on Aggression and … Aarti Shukla & Mustafa Nadeem Kirmani
Table 4 displays findings that reveal a notable inverse relationship between family
structure and internet dependency. The data implies that the correlation between family type
and internet addiction measures at r = -.869**, with *p<.01. Consequently, this suggests the
rejection of the third null hypothesis within the research study.
TABLE 5:- Comparing the t-test scores of male and female having internet addiction.
Measures Variable N Mean SD t
Internet Males 30 4.4 .73 .673
addiction Females 30 4.3 .80
Aggression Males 30 1.1 .81 .314
Females 20 1.0 .82

t-test was used to see the differences between males and females in aggression. The
analysis of the sample shows there is no significant gender difference among male and
female adolescents with internet addiction. Hence, the null hypothesis is accepted.
Discussion: Although we cannot fully protect adolescents from internet use, but we can
prevent adolescents from their risk factors. The research was undertaken to investigate the
Effect of Internet addiction on adolescents. The study hypothesized that “There will be no
significant effect of internet addiction on aggression among adolescents” and the findings
reject the stated hypothesis. This means that internet addiction has a significant effect on the
aggressive behavior of adolescents. Payal Sharma & Avinash De Sousa (2016) also found in
their study that Internet addiction is defined as the compulsion to engage in an activity or
substance, despite the negative impact on one's well-being. It involves both physical and
psychological dependence.
The findings reject the second hypothesis “There will be no difference in the level of
aggression and attention span among adolescents with internet addiction.” As the result
shows that there is a difference in the level of aggression, 17 participants mild level of
aggression, 20 participants had a moderate level of aggression, and the majority level of
participants (23) reported aggression to internet addiction. As research also means that if
adolescents use excessive screen time, then their aggression increases but it does not have
any effect on the attention span of the sample. The scale Digit memory test was used and
adolescents were able to easily get a score of 7 so the attention span was intact. (Fisoun et
al., 2012; Mehroof & Md., 2010; Polman et al., 2007) also found in their study that the
higher scores of an individual’s Internet addiction, the higher level of aggression. Internet
addiction did have a direct influence on aggression). The Social Learning Theory suggests
that individuals can adopt violent behaviors and become desensitized to online violence,
leading to increased aggression.
The findings reject the third null hypothesis that “There will be no significant
relationship between aggression and internet addiction among single adolescents and
siblings”. The result of the study shows a significant negative correlation between family

Volume-IX, Issue-V September 2023 161

Effect of Internet Addiction on Aggression and … Aarti Shukla & Mustafa Nadeem Kirmani
type and internet addiction. It indicates that adolescents with internet addiction and family
structure will have an effect on her/his aggression.

The findings support the fourth hypothesis that “There will be no significant difference
in males and females on aggression when having internet addiction” It means that gender
differences are not found among males and females with internet addiction.
These inconsistent findings can be explained based on possible differences in methodology
used, tools, target population, and the nature of the research design longitudinal versus
cross-sectional. Personality as a moderator variable can be one of the factors for these
inconsistent findings
Conclusion and Clinical implications: The study concludes that Aggressive behavior and
attention focus both are associated with Internet addiction in any adolescent. if an individual
has an internet addiction, then adolescents’ behavior and attention span will be affected
significantly. Internet addiction is related to emotional behavior problems and reduced focus
in life. This study will be helpful in developing management plans for Adolescents to
reduce behavioral problems and increase attention concentration by professionals.
Acknowledgement: The author sincerely expresses the gratitude to the participants who
gave their willingness to participate in the research.
Conflict of Interest: There is no conflict of interest in the current research work.

References

1) Creek, L. V., & Jacson, T. L. (2016). Internet addiction: symptoms, evaluation, and
treatment. Davey, S., & Davey, A. (2014). Assessment of smartphone addiction in
Indian adolescents: a mixed method study by systematic-review and meta-analysis
approach. International journal of preventive medicine, 5(12), 1500.
2) Fenger, M. M. (2015). Internet Addiction. Neuroscientific Approaches and
Therapeutically Interventions. Fengqiang, G., Jie, X., Yueqiang, R., & Lei, H.
(2016). The relationship between internet addiction and aggression: multiple
mediating effects of life events and social support. Psychology research, 6(1), 42-
49.
3) Grover, S., Sahoo, S., Bhalla, A., & Avasthi, A. (2019). Problematic internet use and
its correlates among resident doctors of a tertiary care hospital of North India: A
cross-sectional study. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 39, 42-47.
4) Katasonova, A. V., Perkovsky, S. V., & Kravtsova, N. A. (2014). Higher mental
functions and time perception in internet-addicted teenagers. Psychology in
Russia, 7(1), 135.
5) Khatoon, B. A., Akhtar, A., Jamil, R. A., & Rahman, A. (2018). The study of
relationship between internet addiction and aggression among teenagers. Journal of
Management Info (JMI), 3(4), 7-13.
Volume-IX, Issue-V September 2023 162
Effect of Internet Addiction on Aggression and … Aarti Shukla & Mustafa Nadeem Kirmani
6) Kol, E., & Topgul, S. (2022). Internet Addiction as a Behavioral Addiction: The
Effect of Computer Games on Children and Cyber Violence. In Handbook of
Research on Digital Violence and Discrimination Studies (pp. 352-373).
7) IGI Global. Laconi, [Link], R.F., & Chabrol, H. (2014). The measurement of
Internet addiction: A critical review of existing scales and their psychometric
properties. Computers in human behavior, 41, 190-202.
8) Livingstone, S., & Smith, P. K. (2014). Annual research review: Harms experienced
by child users of online and mobile technologies: The nature, prevalence, and
management of sexual and aggressive risks in the digital age. Journal of child
psychology and Psychiatry, 55(6), 635-654.
9) Mathew, P. M., & Mishra, S. (2014). Online retailing in India: Linking internet
usage, perceived risks, website attributes and past online purchase behavior. The
Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, 65(1), 1-17.
10) Menon, S., Narayanan, L., & Kahwaji, A. T. (2018). Internet addiction: A research
study of college students in India. Journal of Economics and Business, 1(1), 100-
106.
11) Naskar, S., Victor, R., Nath, K., & Sengupta, C. (2016). “One level more:” A
narrative review on internet gaming disorder. Industrial psychiatry journal, 25(2),
145.
12) Padhy, S. K., Khatana, S., & Sarkar, S. (2014). Media and mental illness: Relevance
to India. Journal of postgraduate medicine, 60(2), 163.
13) Rajeswari, N., & Lenin, S. Internet Usage and its effect on Aggressive behavior of
class IX Students. Department of Education, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University,
Tirunelveli-627012, Tamil Nadu, India Vol. 6, Issue 4, pp: (35-39), Month: October-
December 2019.
14) Sharma, D., Kishore, J., Sharma, N., & Duggal, M. (2017). Aggression in schools:
Cyberbullying and gender issues. Asian journal of psychiatry, 29, 142-145.
15) Sharma, M. K., Ragesh, G., Palanichamy, T. S., Hamza, A., Chandra, P. S., &
Chaturvedi, S.K. (2017). Internet addiction with coexisting psychiatric
diagnosis. Industrial Psychiatry Journal, 26(2), 243-244.
16) Sharma, P., & De Sousa, A. (2016). Internet Addiction in Adolescents–an
overview. Indian Journal of Mental Health, 3(4), 394-404.
17) Swing, E. L., Gentile, D. A., Anderson, C. A., & Walsh, D. A. (2010). Television
and video game exposure and the development of attention
problems. Pediatrics, 126(2), 214-221.
18) Yadav, P., Banwari, G., Parmar, C., & Maniar, R. (2013). Internet addiction and its
correlates among high school students: A preliminary study from Ahmedabad,
India. Asian journal of psychiatry, 6(6), 500-505.

Volume-IX, Issue-V September 2023 163