The Impact of Excessive Internet Usage on School Absence: Finnish Study Reveals Key Findings

▴ Finnish Study Reveals Key Findings
Having a trusting relationship with parents—where teens felt comfortable sharing their concerns—was strongly associated with lower risks of truancy and medical-related absences.

In a recent study conducted in Finland, researchers from the University of Helsinki have identified a concerning link between excessive internet use among teens and increased risk of school absence. The study sheds light on how spending too much time online can impact vital activities like eating, sleeping, and exercising, ultimately affecting academic attendance.

Understanding the Research: The study analyzed data from over 86,000 adolescents aged 14-16 as part of the School Health Promotion study, a national biennial survey in Finland. Researchers examined various factors, including internet usage patterns, sleep duration, physical activity levels, and the quality of parent-teen relationships, to assess their impact on school attendance.

Gender Differences and Internet Use: Researchers noted significant gender differences in internet use, with girls being more likely to engage in excessive internet usage, particularly related to social media use. On the other hand, boys were more prone to reporting truancy or absence from school compared to girls.

Impact of Excessive Internet Use: The study highlighted that spending excessive time online was associated with a 38% higher risk of truancy and a 24% higher risk of school absence due to medical reasons. This suggests that internet addiction can disrupt essential daily activities and contribute to school absenteeism among adolescents.

Protective Factors: Sleep, Exercise, and Parent-Teen Relationships: Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, such as getting 8-10 hours of sleep per night and engaging in regular physical activity, emerged as protective factors against school absenteeism linked to excessive internet use. Additionally, having a trusting relationship with parents—where teens felt comfortable sharing their concerns—was strongly associated with lower risks of truancy and medical-related absences.

Implications for School Health Services: The study highlights the importance of addressing excessive internet use as a potential risk factor for school absenteeism within school health and well-being services. By prioritizing interventions that promote healthy habits and positive parent-teen relationships, professionals can help mitigate the negative impacts of internet addiction on academic attendance.

Limitations and Future Directions: While the study provides valuable insights, it is important to note that it is an observational study, and thus, a cause-and-effect relationship between excessive internet use and school absenteeism could not be established definitively. Future research could explore longitudinal studies to better understand the long-term effects of internet addiction on adolescent well-being.

The Finnish research highlights the need for proactive measures to address excessive internet use among teens and its impact on school attendance. By promoting balanced internet usage, encouraging healthy lifestyle habits, and fostering strong parent-teen relationships, educators and health professionals can support adolescents in achieving better academic outcomes and overall well-being.

Tags : #

About the Author


Sunny Parayan

Hey there! I'm Sunny, a passionate writer with a strong interest in the healthcare domain! When I'm not typing on my keyboard, I watch shows and listen to music. I hope that through my work, I can make a positive impact on people's lives by helping them live happier and healthier.

View Profile

Related Stories

26 Feb

Did the Government Force Covid Vaccines Without Responsibility? The Supreme Court Thinks So

Will the government take responsibility, or will affected families be left fighting a lonely legal battle? The coming weeks will determine the course of justice for those who lost loved ones in the fight against COVID-19.

View
23 Jan

Why India’s Vaccine Industry Struggles to Fund Innovation Despite Global Demand

Affordability ensures accessibility, but innovation determines its effectiveness. India, as a global leader in vaccine production, has a responsibility to balance these two aspects.

View
15 Nov

A Preventable Catastrophe: Why Are Children Still Dying from Measles?

Governments must step up their efforts, healthcare systems must become more resilient, and communities must rally together to protect their children.

View
09 Nov

The Deadly 17: WHO’s Vaccine Priority List to Tackle Life-Threatening Infections

By focusing on these 17 high-priority pathogens, WHO is leading the way for a world that is better prepared, more resilient, and healthier for all.

View
10 Oct

Go Cheese Announces Strategic Collaboration with Bigg Boss Season 18 to Enhance Brand Engagement and Consumer Reach Across India

Go Cheese, a leading brand from the house of Parag Milk Foods, announces its collaboration with Bigg Boss Season 18

View
06 Sep

The Complex Battle Against Polio: How India’s Vaccination Efforts Address Rare Vaccine-Derived Cases

Vaccine-derived poliovirus cases are extremely rare but can occur when the weakened strain of the poliovirus contained in the oral polio vaccine (OPV) mutates and regains its ability to cause disease.

View
16 Aug

A Giant Leap in India’s Fight Against Dengue: Phase 3 Vaccine Trial Launched

This trial not only aims to protect the population but also reinforces India’s capability to produce cutting-edge healthcare solutions, furthering the nation’s goal of self-reliance in essential medical innovations.

View
18 Jul

Equipping Healthcare Professionals for Global Opportunities: GIMS Partners with NSDC

This collaboration, under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), aims to provide specialized, skill-based training to students who aspire to work in the international healthcare sector.

View
19 Apr

10 compelling reasons why choosing right media platform Is important in healthcare

Selecting the right media platform is essential for effectively disseminating healthcare information, building trust and credibility, reaching the target audience, and ultimately improving patient outcomes.

View
15 Mar

Debunking Myths: ICMR Study Disproves COVID Vaccine Link to Sudden Deaths

As India continues its vaccination drive and global outreach, scientific rigor and data-driven policies remain paramount in safeguarding public health amidst the ongoing pandemic.

View

-Advertisements-




Trending Now

Teenagers Are Losing Friends While Chasing Perfection: Here’s WhyMarch 13, 2025
Your Desk Job is Destroying Your Mind: Here’s How to Fight BackMarch 13, 2025
Wow! Momo Disrupts FMCG Cup Noodles Market with 'Desi-Asian Flavours' – A First in IndiaMarch 13, 2025
How India’s Kidney Health Crisis is Growing UnnoticedMarch 13, 2025
Stuck Between the Snooze Button and the Hustle: Entrepreneurs Struggle to Get Quality SleepMarch 13, 2025
Can Coffee Keep You Steady on Your Feet? New Study Reveals the TruthMarch 13, 2025
NephroPlus Sets Guinness World Record & India Book of Records Title for Largest Kidney Health Screening DriveMarch 12, 2025
India Choosing to Eat Healthy; Order Volumes Up by 60% for Nutritional ProductsMarch 12, 2025
Amrita students win first prize at DecodeX 2025 hackathonMarch 12, 2025
Why Millions Are Losing Their Sight to Glaucoma And How You Can Prevent ItMarch 12, 2025
Çelebi India Ranks 3rd Worldwide in Ground Handling Performance for Turkish CargoMarch 12, 2025
Advancing Road Safety Through Clear Vision: VARS 4.0 Sets Bold AgendaMarch 12, 2025
The Deadly Cost of the “Perfect Body”: When Diet Trends Turn FatalMarch 12, 2025
Lighthouse Canton’s LC GenInnov Global Innovation Fund Secures Investment from Kotak Mahindra Asset ManagementMarch 11, 2025
TTK Prestige Revolutionizes Cooking with Innovative AirFlip Two-in-One Air Fryer and GrillMarch 11, 2025
Rewriting Immunology: The Discovery That Could Replace Traditional AntibioticsMarch 11, 2025
Is Your Cooking Oil Poisoning You? The Truth About Seed OilsMarch 11, 2025
Think Before You Bite: How Fatty Foods Can Trigger Brain Damage in Just 3 DaysMarch 11, 2025
Ditch the Pills: The Secret to Beating Insomnia is in Your WorkoutMarch 11, 2025
The University of Tasmania invites applications for Master of Public HealthMarch 11, 2025