Date of Award

10-2020

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Health Policy and Management

First Advisor

Dr Narjis Rizvi

Second Advisor

Dr Farina

Third Advisor

Muhammad Asim

Department

Community Health Sciences

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is challenging phase in an individual’s life. Adolescents during this phase are keen to explore new things and therefore prone to risky behaviors. In the current context where social media has become a societal norm, its excessive use can lead to various physical, psychological and psychosocial disorders among adolescents. COVID-19 has further enhanced social media use due to the lockdowns and increase in online activities such as education, virtual meet-up etc. This study aimed to determine the frequency and factors associated with internet use and its perceived effects on health and social relations before and during COVID-19 among school going adolescents in Karachi.
Method: A mixed-method study design was used, quantitative part was an online cross-sectional survey form adolescents (N=300) and qualitative part was telephonic interviews from parents and teachers (N=8). This study was conducted from July 2020 to November 2020. A sample size of 300 adolescents was calculated using Epi Info version 3.1. Quantitative data was descriptively analyzed through frequency distributions whereas qualitative interviews were analyzed using content analysis approach.
Results: Of the 315 adolescents enrolled, 76% (n=229) were females and 53% (n=160) were between the ages of 13-14 years. Personal cellphone was the most frequently used gadget (69% n=207), while Instagram was the most preferred social networking platform (n=164, 59%). 79% adolescents were using internet after coming back from school and 22% before sleeping as well. However, 23% reported late night logins which results in inadequate sleep and fatigue as reported by parents. Four major reasons for using internet were academics (85%), fun and entertainment (80%), socialization (70%), information (50%). However, only 27% used internet to get health related information, however it is creating dependency among them. Parents and teachers also confirmed that internet has become an easy and accessible source of information for adolescents. Two preferred internet games were action (31%) and shooting (28%). Health effects due to internet use reported include neck/back/eye pain (63%) and sadness/nervousness (47%). Parents and teachers also validates these health effects. In addition, parents informed that children are becoming depressed because of peer pressure to get higher number of liking when anything is posted on social media. The internet use pre-COVID was 39% but has increased to 67% in the post-COVID. Parents and teachers also informed that because of excessive internet use, children are becoming more and more physically inactive. Increased internet use is also exposing adolescents to cyber bullying as they open accounts on various platforms and don’t want to miss any opportunity socialize. Adolescents today prefer internet socialization over family relations.
Conclusion: In the current COVID-19 situation, internet use is a necessity for academic performance and even recreation. However excessive use is decreasing physical activity and sleeping hours, it is causing harmful effects on health including head/neck pains, depression and intolerance. Moreover, negatively affecting family relations and exposing adolescents to cyber bullying. Teachers’ and healthcare providers’ curriculum should incorporate new content to address these upcoming internet related challenges so that they can appropriately guide adolescents. Parents need to be aware of the health and social effects of excessive internet use on adolescents. Policies need to be developed and implemented to address cyber bullying and other internet related crimes.

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