Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown on Lifestyle, Internet Addiction and Media Usage among Adolescents and Young Adults in India - A Cross-sectional Survey
Abstract
Introduction: In India, there were three major COVID-19 wave lockdowns hampering school and college education.
Aim: To understand the effect of lockdown on lifestyle, internet addiction and media usage in adolescents aged 10 to 21 years.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2020 to January 2021 using purposive sampling methodology. The respondents were approached through various social-media handles to fill out the Association of Adolescent and Child Care in India (AACCI)-created Google-based questionnaire consisting of 50 questions divided into five sections (aims/ objectives and consent form, demographic information, effect on lifestyle, effect on media/ gadget usage and internet addiction score). Data analysis was done using EpiInfo Version 7.2.3.1 software.
Results: Of the 318 respondents, 63.8% were females. The median (IQR) age was 18 (14-19) years. Of the participants, 72.6% were school-going, 27.4% were college students, 82% were from urban areas, 59% were from nuclear families, and 59.9% had one sibling. There were positive and negative effects on physical health, food habits, sleeping patterns, and mental health of the respondents (p < 0.05). Overall, 60.6% of respondents used electronic gadgets for more than four hours every day, 80% felt that the internet is a must, 69.2% accepted screen overuse, and 28.9% felt that they were addicted to the internet. The median (IQR) score for the age group of 10-13 years was 25 (9-31); for the age group of 14-17 years, it was 26 (17-40) and for the age group of 18-21 years, it was 29 (19-39) (Kruskal Wallis: 6.37, p = 0.042).
Conclusion: The COVID lockdown affected the physical and mental health of Indian adolescents positively and negatively.
How to cite this article:
Shah SR, Bhave SY, Shringarpure K, Bhave Y. Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown on Lifestyle, Internet Addiction and Media Usage among Adolescents and Young Adults in India - A Cross-sectional Survey. Ind J Youth Adol Health. 2023;10(3):4-12.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2349.2880.202309
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