Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers
Published on: November 9, 2019
Internet addiction: prevalence, discriminant validity and correlates among adolescents in Hong Kong
King-wa Fu1, Wincy S C Chan, Paul W C Wong
1Journalism and Media Studies Centre, G24, Eliot Hall, Pokfulam Road,The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. kwfu@hku.hk
Background:
Despite increasing concern over the potential adverse effects of excessive internet use, especially in young people, there is some debate over its definition, magnitude and discriminant validity.
Aims:
To examine the prevalence of adolescents' internet addiction in Hong Kong, China; to test its differentiation from other correlates; and to examine its relationships with correlates in a representative community sample of adolescents.
Method:
A two-wave panel household survey with 208 adolescents (aged 15-19 years) was conducted. Participants were asked to self-report their patterns of internet usage, symptoms of internet addiction, suicidal ideation, psychiatric symptoms and psychosocial conditions during the study period.
Results:
The prevalence rate for having five or more symptoms of internet addiction was estimated to be 6.7% (95% CI 3.3-10.2). The discriminatory characteristic of internet addiction was marginally demonstrated. Positive dose-response relationships were found between the number of symptoms of internet addiction and 1-year changes in scores for suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms.
Conclusions:
Evidence supports the specificity of internet addiction and its symptoms seem to co-occur with individuals' suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms.
Related Concept Videos
Bullying
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
Reliability and Validity
Conduct Disorder
