The associations between family characteristics and problematic Internet use among adolescents in Saudi Arabia

The current study assessed the family correlates of problematic Internet use (PIU) in a nationally representative sample of Saudi adolescents. Students (grades: 7-12; N = 2,546) from three cities in Saudi Arabia (random selection of schools) filled out a survey on Young's Internet Addiction Test (YIAT) and family characteristics (e.g. parents' socioeconomic status [SES], family harmony, family members' Internet use, and parental Internet controls). A multilevel log-binomial regression assessed family correlates of PIU (YIAT & GE;40). The mean (SD) age was 15.6 (& PLUSMN;1.8) years; 54% were girls; PIU prevalence was 41.8%. A poor SES (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.0, 1.4), low family harmony (bottom quartile OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.2, 1.7), no parental restriction/supervision (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.2, 1.8), and heavy Internet use by siblings (OR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.1, 1.5) were significantly associated with PIU. Certain identified family risk factors are amenable to interventions given the high PIU prevalence among Saudi adolescents.

Automated summary

This study assessed the family correlates of problematic Internet use (PIU) in Saudi adolescents using a nationally representative sample. The results showed that low socioeconomic status, low family harmony, lack of parental restriction/supervision, and heavy Internet use by siblings were significantly associated with PIU. The prevalence of PIU among Saudi adolescents was high, suggesting the need for interventions targeting the identified family risk factors.