The effect of self-esteem and parental attitude of the adolescents studying in a high school on problematic internet usage

Aim: This study aims to examine the effect of self-esteem and parental attitude of the adolescents on problematic internet usage through socio-demographic variables. Material and Method: This research was conducted as cross-sectional and descriptive. As data collection tool "Socio-Demographic Data Form", "Problematic Internet Usage-E Scale", "Parental Attitude Scale" and "Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale" were used. Findings: Parental attitude mean scores are at "acceptance/interest" (27,188 ± 5,281), "psychological autonomy" (24,271 ± 4,856), "parental control" (25,947 ± 4,442) level. Parental attitudes are found as (34,8%) democratic, (34,9%) permissive-neglectful, (10,0%) authoritative, (20,3%) permissive-tolerant. Self-esteem average is calculated as (1,880 ± 1,601) high, problematic internet usage "adverse outcome of the internet" (26,744 ± 11,614), "overuse" (18,068 ± 5,679), "social benefit/ social comfort" (14,799 ± 6,102), "overall level of problematic internet usage" are found to be moderate (59,610 ± 20,318). Results: It is concluded that acceptance/interest levels that the adolescents perceive decrease as the age and the number of siblings increase and are found to be higher when the parental educational statue rises. Problematic internet usage of those male adolescents with high level income, more than 5 years internet usage, having his/her own computer and a mother who is a member of a social networking sites are found higher, and those studying in 12th grade is observed as lower.