EXPLORING THE IMPACTS OF INTERNET USE ON ADOLESCENT HEALTH: EXPERIENCE REPORT

Abstract

The Problematic Internet Use (PIU) and its potential impact on the mental, physical, and social spheres of adolescents. The article reports the experience of medical scholars in conducting an educational intervention aimed at promoting safe internet use among teenagers through interactive audiovisual tools. The involved group consisted of 52 participants of both genders, aged between 12 and 16 years. Interactive questionnaires, comprising 13 questions about internet usage habits, were employed during the activity. Based on the responses, teenagers were individually guided on the importance of controlling internet use for physical, psychological, and social health. The experience revealed the negative impact that PIU can have on the quality of life for these young individuals, emphasizing the need for public policies focused on online safety for teenagers, as well as the involvement of healthcare professionals in schools, providing guidance on the risks associated with internet use.