Examining the relationships of problematical internet use with mindfulness and self-regulation among adolescents

The main aim of the current study was to investigate the predictive role of mindfulness and self-regulation levels of adolescents on problematic internet usage. The second aim was to examine the relationship between problematic internet use, mindfulness and self-regulation with gender, class level, internet usage time, the means by which they use the internet and the purpose of internet use. The universe of this study is students who are studying at different high schools in Antalya. The sample of the study includes five Anatolian High Schools selected from Muratpaşa, Kepez and Konyaaltı provinces of Antalya. Data collection instruments were administered to students who volunteered to participate in the study in the spring semester of the 2018-2019 academic year in selected schools. Research sample consists of 485 high school students, of which 247 were female and 238 were male. For data collection in the study, Problematic Internet Use Scale-Adolescent, Mindfulness Scale-Adolescent, Adolescent Self-Regulation Scale and Personal Information Form were used. As a result of this study, it was determined that the mindfulness and self-regulation levels of adolescents predict more than half of problematic internet usage levels. It was found that adolescents' problematic internet use levels of differed significantly according to gender, time of internet usage, tools used to connect to internet, and purpose of internet use. It was showed that the mindfulness levels of adolescents differ significantly according to internet usage hours, internet connection tools and internet usage purpose. Also adolescents self-regulation levels were found differed significantly according to internet usage hours and internet usage purpose.