Internet addiction at workplace and it implication for workers life style: Exploration from Southern India.

BACKGROUND: Industries are focusing on digitization of their working environment. It helps in enhanced productivity as well as communication among workers. It also lead to higher usages of internet for non work related use at workplace. It affect their productivity at workplace. The present study was undertaken to explore internet use in Information technology (IT) industry and non IT industry, to see its consequence and effect on lifestyle and functioning.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: 250 employees of various Government/Private sector organizations(using internet for more than a year and education level of graduation and above) were approached for the assessment using cross sectional research design.

RESULTS: The average age of participants was 30.4 years. 9.2% participants falling in category of occasional problems/'at risk' for developing addiction in functioning/moderate impairment due to internet use. Statistically more participants falling in 'at risk category' had reported postponement of work and change in productivity. Sleep, meals, personal hygiene and family time were postponed more by participants who were at risk for developing internet addiction.

CONCLUSIONS: The study has implications for developing a workplace based psycho-social intervention program to address the technology use issues at workplace.