Objective: As Internet use becomes ubiquitous among adolescents, Internet
addiction turns out to be as a potential problem in adolescents. The aim of
this cross-sectional study was to examine the prevalence of internet addiction
and its associated factors among the adolescents in Malaysia.
Methods: The
association between internet addiction and attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) symptoms was also examined in this cross-sectional study,
which was conducted at four secondary schools in Malaysia. In this study,
Malaysian Version of Internet Addiction Test (MVIAT), Conners-Wells
Adolescent Self-report: Short Form (CASS:S), The Conners Teachers Rating
Scale: Short Form (CTRS:S) and The Conners’ Parents Rating Scale: Short
For (CPRS: S) were used.
Results: The results demonstrated 28.6% of the
subjects were addicted to the internet and there was a positive association
with ADHD symptoms. Male gender, early age of first internet use, longer
total time of internet use are associated with internet addiction problem
among the adolescents. Internet addiction has become highly prevalent
among the adolescent in Malaysia.
Conclusions: It is important to provide
support for this group of adolescent with internet use problem. Measure to
prevent the worsening of the situation and future research on the causal
factors of internet addiction such as ADHD is needed.