INTERNET ADDICTION IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS – CZECH STUDY

Abstract

The main purpose of the presented study is to explore the existing risk of Internet addiction for undergraduate students of Czech universities. The research was conducted as quantitative research; a CIAS-R questionnaire was applied. The data were collected in the years just before the Covid-19 pandemic (between October 2019 and March 2020). 3,366 respondents (2,151 females and 1,215 males) participated in our questionnaire survey. The average CIAS-R score achieved by our respondents was 44 points. It equals 6% of addicted college students (when applying the cut-off point of 63/64), and 3% of addicted students (when applying the cut-off point of 67/68). A significantly higher risk was revealed in males and in full-time students compared to females, and part-time students, respectively. The type of faculty studied was proved to be a significant intervening variable. Applying the 63/64 cut-off point, we revealed 5.6% of addicted students among the students of faculties of education, which is alarming (even if we consider the fact that applying the 67/68 cut-off point, we revealed 2.7% of addicted students.). These students represented almost 50% of our respondents, and they, as future teachers, will play an important role in the prevention of risky behavior.