Pathological Internet use, cyberbullying and mobile phone use in adolescence: a school-based study in Greece

Zoi Tsimtsiou; Anna-Bettina Haidich; Anastasios Drontsos; Fotini Dantsi; Zafiria Sekeri; Evangelos Drosos; Nikolaos Trikilis; Theodoros Dardavesis; Panagiotis Nanos; Malamatenia Arvanitidou

doi:10.1515/ijamh-2016-0115

Article

Pathological Internet use, cyberbullying and mobile phone use in adolescence: a school-based study in Greece

Zoi Tsimtsiou , Anna-Bettina Haidich , Anastasios Drontsos , Fotini Dantsi , Zafiria Sekeri , Evangelos Drosos , Nikolaos Trikilis , Theodoros Dardavesis , Panagiotis Nanos and Malamatenia Arvanitidou

Published/Copyright: April 22, 2017

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From the journal International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health Volume 30 Issue 6

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigated the prevalence of Internet addiction (IA) and cyberbullying and examined profiles of adolescents with increased risk to develop pathological behaviors.

Methods

In this cross-sectional, school-based study, 8053 students of 30 middle and 21 high schools (12–18 years old) were invited to participate, based on a multistage stratified random sampling technique. The Internet aiddiction test (IAT) was used along with information on socio-demographics, Internet activities and cyberbullying experience.

Results

Five thousand five hundred and ninety students participated (response rate 69.4%). Pathological Internet use (IAT ≥50) was found in 526 (10.1%), while 403 (7.3%) experienced cyberbullying as victims and 367 (6.6%) as perpetrators during the last year. In multivariable models, the odds of IA increased with online hours on mobile phones and Internet use during weekends, Internet café visits, chatrooms usage and engagement in cyberbullying. Cyberbullying victims were more likely to be older, female, Facebook and chatrooms users, while perpetrators were more likely to be male, older Internet users and fans of pornographic sites. A perpetrator was significantly more likely to have also been a victim [odds ratio (OR) = 5.51, confidence interval (CI): 3.92–7.74]. Hours of daily Internet use on a mobile phone was independently associated with IA and cyberbullying (OR) 1.41, 95% CI 1.30, 1.53 and OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01, 1.21, respectively.

Conclusions

Cyberbullying is associated with IA and the hours spent online on a mobile phone affected both conditions. The increasing Internet access through mobile phones or other devices should be accompanied by the appropriate education of both parents and adolescents on safe Internet use.

Keywords: adolescents; cyberbullying; Internet addiction; mobile phones; pathological Internet use

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all the 46 primary health care professionals who were involved with enthusiasm in this study and all the students and teachers who participated. We would especially like to thank Dr George Kormas for his valuable advice and guidance in the training of the health care professionals.

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Received: 2016-10-03

Accepted: 2017-01-03

Published Online: 2017-04-22

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2016-0115

Keywords for this article

adolescents; cyberbullying; Internet addiction; mobile phones; pathological Internet use