A re-evaluation of internet use time to indicate high risk and potential risk of internet addiction among Korean adolescents

In order to respond to the increasingly serious problem of internet addiction, there is a need for a more convenient method for early detection and intervention of those at high risk. This study evaluated the self-reported internet use cutoff values for internet addiction among Korean adolescents aged 12 to 18 years old. The data was obtained from the K-scale, which is based on the 2010 Youth Health Behaviors online survey data. The cutoff values for risk of internet addiction were determined using a receiver operating characteristics curve analysis with the estimated multivariate-adjusted odds ratios and a 95% confidence intervals. The internet use time cutoff values associated with an increased risk of high-risk and potential risk internet addiction were 157.5 minutes (3.0%) and 127.5 minutes (11.9%), respectively, and the odds ratio corresponding to these cutoff values was higher than 5. This study determined that, independent of smart phone use time, 2 hours and 30 minutes, and 2 hours, of internet use were appropriate indicators for high-risk internet addiction potential risk of internet addiction, respectively. We conclude that intensive attention and active efforts to prevent internet addiction are required for those using the Internet for more than 2 hours a day.