Effects of an Integrated Internet Addiction Prevention Program on Elementary Students' Self-regulation and Internet Addiction

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop an integrated Internet addiction prevention program and test its effects on the self-regulation and internet addiction of elementary students who are at risk for internet addiction. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were assigned to the experimental group (n=28) or control group (n=28). Contents of the program developed in this study included provision of information about internet addiction, interventions for empowerment and methods of behavioral modification. A pre-test and two post-tests were done to identify the effects of the program and their continuity. Effects were testified using Repeated measures ANOVA, simple effect analysis, and Time Contrast. Results: The self-regulation of the experimental group after the program was significantly higher than the control group. The score for internet addiction self-diagnosis and the internet use time in the experimental group were significantly lower than the control group. Conclusion: The effects of the integrated internet addiction prevention program for preventing internet addiction in elementary students at risk for internet addiction were validated.