Author(s):
With the rapid advancement of digital technology, internet addiction has become a pressing issue, especially among adolescents. This study examines the prevalence of internet addiction among high school students in rural Southern Italy and explores its association with loneliness and social phobia. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 500 high school students from various rural areas in Southern Italy. Standardized questionnaires, including the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), were used to collect data. Results reveal that 30% of students exhibit signs of internet addiction, with a significant correlation between high IAT scores and increased levels of loneliness and social phobia. The findings underscore the importance of early intervention and the need for tailored programs to address mental health concerns among adolescents in rural areas
