The relationship between internet use and psychological state in high school students

This study was planned to determine the general characteristics of high school students such as developments, changes, and problematic situations which are resulting from internet use in their personal and social lives, school success, family and friend communication.The aim is to undestand the effects of internet on adolescents?s lives.The sample of the study was consisted of 532 high school students in Küçükçekmece, İstanbul.Personal and internet characteristics of the sample were determined by a interview form, problematic internet use was determined by Online Cognition Scale.The reason why the study wqas consisted of hihg school students was that they are at a completely important stage of their personal and social development.Attitudes, friendships, habits, etc, which are acquired at this stage will affect the whole life.It was found that they use internet mainly for educational and sociol purposes.It was seen that students had some psychologcal and social disorders as a result of intensive internet use and there was a relationship betweeen problematic internet use and gender, socioeconomic position, vacational school which is attended.Finally, it was understood that internet has also some side effects in addition to its advantages and it has become indispensable to the adolescents? lives.Key words: Internet, Computer, Adolescent, Addiction, Internet Addiction