ORIGINAL PAPER
Usage habits of electronic devices among computer science students – analysis of changes over time including consideration of problematic internet use and physical activity
1
Faculty of Health Sciences, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
2
Center for Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
Submission date: 2023-12-07
Final revision date: 2024-11-21
Acceptance date: 2024-11-21
Publication date: 2025-12-15
Corresponding author
Angelika Lewandowska
Angelika Lewandowska Medical College Jan Kochanowski University Kielce, Poland
Angelika Lewandowska Medical College Jan Kochanowski University Kielce, Poland
Medical Studies 2025;41(4):416-423
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Technological advancements have made the Internet a key part of daily life, but excessive device use poses health, psychological, and social risks. Prevention, ergonomics education, and regular physical activity are essential for maintaining well-being and preventing related issues.
Aim of the research:
The aim of the research was to assess problematic Internet use and its association with the time spent on physical activity during leisure time among computer science students, as well as any changes in these patterns over the course of their studies.
Material and methods:
The study assessed computer science students from Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce and Kielce University of Technology in 2018 and 2020 to evaluate the impact of Internet usage on their lives. Researchers utilised the Internet Addiction Questionnaire (TPUI22) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), along with a custom questionnaire, to analyse electronic device usage and physical activity habits.
Results:
Computer science students showed significant changes in their usage habits for mobile phones and desktop computers during their education, increasing mobile phone use to over 3 hours and extending computer usage by 2 hours. A higher percentage of third-year students reported low physical activity levels (28.95%) compared to first-year students (15.79%). Overall, increased mobile phone and computer usage correlated with lower physical activity and higher levels of problematic Internet use.
Conclusions:
Young adults spend up to 3 hours daily on mobile phones and over 5 hours on computers during studies, leading to decreased physical activity and lower energy expenditure. Increased device usage correlates with problematic Internet use, particularly among computer science students, indicating a need for education on responsible Internet habits and support for young people.
Technological advancements have made the Internet a key part of daily life, but excessive device use poses health, psychological, and social risks. Prevention, ergonomics education, and regular physical activity are essential for maintaining well-being and preventing related issues.
Aim of the research:
The aim of the research was to assess problematic Internet use and its association with the time spent on physical activity during leisure time among computer science students, as well as any changes in these patterns over the course of their studies.
Material and methods:
The study assessed computer science students from Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce and Kielce University of Technology in 2018 and 2020 to evaluate the impact of Internet usage on their lives. Researchers utilised the Internet Addiction Questionnaire (TPUI22) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), along with a custom questionnaire, to analyse electronic device usage and physical activity habits.
Results:
Computer science students showed significant changes in their usage habits for mobile phones and desktop computers during their education, increasing mobile phone use to over 3 hours and extending computer usage by 2 hours. A higher percentage of third-year students reported low physical activity levels (28.95%) compared to first-year students (15.79%). Overall, increased mobile phone and computer usage correlated with lower physical activity and higher levels of problematic Internet use.
Conclusions:
Young adults spend up to 3 hours daily on mobile phones and over 5 hours on computers during studies, leading to decreased physical activity and lower energy expenditure. Increased device usage correlates with problematic Internet use, particularly among computer science students, indicating a need for education on responsible Internet habits and support for young people.
REFERENCES (39)
1.
Bosamia M. Positive and Negative Impacts of Information and Communication Technology in our Everyday Life. International Conference On “Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Approaches to Knowledge Creation in Higher Education: CANADA& INDIA (GENESIS 2013)”, At Swami Sahajanand Group of Colleges, Bhavnagar.
2.
Węgrzyn-Odzioba L. Zagrożenia bezpieczeństwa społecznego związane z funkcjonowaniem w cyberprzestrzeni. Teka of Political Science and International Relations – OL PAN/UMCS. Polska Akademia Nauk Oddział w Lublinie 2018; 13(2): 77–96.
3.
Głuszek-Osuch M, Cieśla E, Suliga E. Relationship between multimorbidity and sociodemographic factors, depressive symptos, and lifestyle in middle-aged adults. Med Sci. 2023; 39(2): 182-191.
4.
Li J, Xue E, Liu B, Han Q. Impact of COVID-19 on the psychological and beavioral health of college students worldwide: a knowledge mapping approach. Humanit Soc Sci Commun. 2024; 11: 1353.
5.
Hemberg J, Sundqvist A, Korzhina Y, Östman L, Gylfe S, Gädda F, Nyström L, Groundstroem H, Nyman-Kurkiala P. Being young in times of uncertainty and isolation: adolescents’ experiences of well-being, health and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Adolesc Youth. 2024; 29(1): 2302102.
8.
Prinstein MJ, Nesi J, Telzer EH. Commentary: Updated research agenda on digital media use and adolescent development – isights from Odgers & Jensen (2020). J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2020; 61(3): 349-352.
9.
Orben A, Blakemore SJ. How social media affects adolescent mental health: the missing link. Nature. 2023; 614(7948): 410-412.
10.
Alonzo R, Hussain J, Stranges S, Anderson KK. Interplay between social media use, sleep quality, and mental health in youth: a systematic review. Sleep Med Rev. 2021; 56: 101414.
11.
Nesi J, Miller AB, Prinstein MJ. Adolescents’ depressive symptoms and subsequent technology-based interpersonal behaviors: a multi-wave study. J Appl Develop Psychol. 2017; 51: 12-19.
12.
Maheux AJ, Roberts SR, Nesi J, Widman L, Choukas-Bradley S. Longitudinal associations between appearance-related social media consciousness and adolescents’ depressive symptoms. J Adolesc. 2022; 94(2): 264-269.
13.
Błąd! Nieprawidłowy odsyłacz typu hiperłącze.Tabak I, Zawadzka D. Samotność a uzależnienie od internetu polskiej młodzieży. Psychiatr Psychol Klin. 2017; 17(2): 104-110.
14.
Przybysz M. Młodzież w sieci w czasie pandemii. Diagnoza, problemy, wyzwania. Media Biznes Kultura. 2021; 2(11): 97-108.
15.
Matuszczak-Świgoń J, Bednarowska W. Cognitive behavioural therapy of Internet addiction. Psychoterapia. 2019; 1(188): 63-73.
16.
Poprawa R. Problematyczne używanie Internetu – symptomy i metoda diagnozy. Badania wśród dorastającej młodzieży. Psychol Jakości Życia. 2012; 11: 57-82.
17.
ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics (ICD-11 MMS) https://icd.who.int/browse11/l... f%2fid.who.int%2ficd%2fentity%2f14 48597234 (access 17.12.22.).
18.
Neupane S, Ifthikar Ali U, Mathew A. Text neck syndrome-systematic review. Imperial J Interdisc Res. 2017; 3(7): 141-148.
19.
Green B. A literature review of neck pain associated with computer use: public health implications. J Canad Chiropract Assoc. 2008; 52(3): 161-167.
20.
Poprawa R. Test problematycznego używania Internetu. Adaptacja i ocena psychometryczna Internet Addiction Test K. Young. Przegl Psychol. 2011; 54(2): 193-216.
21.
Jarczyńska J. Problematyczne używanie Internetu przez młodzież i młodych dorosłych – przegląd narzędzi do przesiewowej oceny tego zjawiska. Przegl Pedagog. 2015; 1: 119-136.
22.
Biernat E, Stupnicki R, Gajewski A. Międzynarodowy Kwestionariusz Aktywności Fizycznej (IPAQ) – wersja polska. Wychowanie Fizyczne i Sport 2007; 51(1): 47-54.
23.
IPAQ Guidelines for Data Processing and Analysis of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) – Short and Long Forms 2005.
24.
Cudo A, Kopiś N, Stróżak P. Problematyczne używanie Internetu oraz problematyczne korzystanie z gier komputerowych wśród studentów kierunków społecznych i humanistycznych. Hygeia Public Health. 2016; 51(4): 389-397.
26.
Aljomaa S, Qudah M, Albursan IS, Bakhiet SF, Abduljabbar AS. Smartphone addiction among University students in the light of some variables. Comp Hum Behav. 2016; 61: 155-164.
27.
Chen L, Yan Z, Tang W, Yang F, Xie X, He J. Mobile phone addiction levels and negative emotions among Chinese young adults: the mediating role of interpersonal problems. Comp Hum Behavior 2016; 55: 856-866.
28.
Samaha M, Hawi N. Relationships among smartphone addiction, stress, academic performance, and satisfaction with life. Comp Hum Behav 2016; 57: 321-325.
29.
Lopez-Fernandez O, Kuss D, Romo L, Morvan Y, Kern L, Graziani P, Rousseau A, Rumpf HJ, Bischof A, Gässler AK, Schimmenti A, Passanisi A, Männikkö N, Kääriänen M, Demetrovics Z, Király O, Chóliz M, Zacarés JJ, Serra E, Griffiths MD, Pontes HM, Lelonek-Kuleta B, Chwaszcz J, Zullino D, Rochat L, Achab S, Billieux J. Self-reported dependence on mobile phones in young adults: a European cross-cultural empirical survey. J Behav Addict. 2017; 6(2): 168-177.
30.
Skonieczna J, Olejniczak D, Kielan A, Fronczak A. Problematyczne używanie Internetu wśród uczniów szkół gimnazjalnych w Warszawie w odniesieniu do czynników socjodemograficznych. Hygeia Public Health. 2018; 53(2): 157-164.
31.
Imdad F, Ishaque F, Yasmeen S, Lal W, Sheikh SA, Nawaz U, Fazleazim, Khanzada S. Prevalence of low back pain among the undergraduate students of ISRA University Karachi Campus. Int J Physiother. 2016; 3(1): 119-123.
32.
Gustafsson E, Thomée S, Grimby-Ekman A, Hagberg M. Texting on mobile phones and musculoskeletal disorders in young adults: a five-year cohort study. Appl Ergonom. 2017; 58: 208-214.
33.
Daga F, Agostino S, Peretti S, Beratto L. COVID 19 nationwide lockdown and physical activity profles among North western Italian population using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Sport Sci Health. 2021; 17: 459-464.
34.
Czenczek-Lewandowska E, Wyszyńska J, Leszczak J, Baran J, Weres A, Mazur A, Lewandowski B. Health behaviours of young adults during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic – a longitudinal study. BMC Public Health. 2021; 21: 1038.
35.
Morais B, Dalmolin G, Andolhe R, dos Santos Dullius AI, Rocha LP. Musculoskeletal pain in undergraduate health students: prevalence and associated factors. Rev Esc Enferm USP 2019; 53: 1-8.
36.
Grabowska B. Level of physical activity among students from universities in Wrocław. Med Ogól Nauki Zdrow. 2020; 26(2): 180-185.
37.
Sochacka M, Zdziarski K. Physical activity, and well-being of students of faculties medical and non-medical services during the Covid-19 pandemic. J Educ Health Sport. 2022; 12(5): 63-80.
38.
Biernat E, Piątkowska M. Rekreacyjna aktywność fizyczna Polaków na tle Europy. Raport dla Departamentu Analiz i Polityki Sportowej Ministerstwa Sportu i Turystyki. Ministerstwo Sportu i Turystyki, Warszawa 2012.
39.
Biernat E, Piątkowska M. Ocena przydatności statystyk opisowych do interpretacji danych dotyczących aktywności fizycznej Polaków podczas pracy zawodowej. Med Pracy. 2014; 65(6): 743-753.
Share
RELATED ARTICLE
| eISSN: | 2300-6722 |
| ISSN: | 1899-1874 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
