Excessive Internet Use Among Adolescents in Yemen: Prevalence, and Health Implications

Abstract

The research examines the effects of internet and social media utilisation on the physical and mental health of students aged 15-19 at Al-Bayhani School in Aden, Yemen. The study included 64 students from a total population of 205, who were evaluated on their perceptions of the impact of internet and social media usage on their health. The findings indicated that 75% of children allocate 2 to 6 hours each day to internet usage, exhibiting uniform habits across all school levels. This study also indicated that 23.4% of students encountered heightened isolation, while 60.9% reported experiencing anxiety in the absence of internet connection. Physical health problems including ocular or cervical discomfort, adverse impacts on physical activity and sleep quality, and a considerable detrimental influence on academic performance. The research highlights the necessity for judicious and ethical internet utilisation to alleviate these hazards and optimise its advantages for students.