TITLE:
Prevalence of Internet Addiction among Young Adults in Kenya
AUTHORS:
Sandra Kimuge
KEYWORDS:
Internet Addiction, Young Adult, Rural Site, Urban Site
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.8 No.9,
September
29,
2021
ABSTRACT: Background: Technology has a high influence on our lifestyle. This has a significant bearing on both the physical and mental health of an individual. Young adults spend a significant amount of time on the Internet. Studies have demonstrated that this overindulgence can be problematic. Internet addiction has an adverse effect on academic and occupational outcomes of Young people. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of internet addiction among young adults in Kenya. Method: A cross-sectional quantitative study was carried out on young adults from one college in rural setting and one in urban setting. Two questionnaires were administered to the young adults. One was sociodemographic questionnaire and the second one was the Young’s Internet Addiction Test. Results: The overall prevalence of internet addiction was (81.5%). On analysis of the extent of severity of Internet use among young adults, it was found that majority of the young adults were moderate internet addicts (45.6%) followed by mild internet addicts (31.2%), normal internet users (18.5%) and severe internet addicts (4.2%). It was found that reported online activities significantly affect the levels of Internet use among young adults. Association was found between internet addiction and online betting, middle income and parental education as well as the course being taken in the college. Conclusion: Internet addiction both in rural and urban areas in Kenya is high and there is a need to start addressing the problem.