Internet Addiction Affects One in Four First-Year Medical Students at Papua’s Cenderawasih University

 

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FORMOSA NEWS -  Jayapura - Internet addiction is affecting a significant share of young medical students in eastern Indonesia, according to new research from Cenderawasih University in Papua Province. The study, conducted by Ricky Lazarus Rumboirusi and psychiatrist Izak Yesaya Samay from the Faculty of Medicine at Cenderawasih University, analyzed internet addiction among first-year medical students under the age of 20. Published in 2026 in the Indonesian Journal of Advanced Research, the findings show that more than a quarter of surveyed students met clinical criteria for internet addiction. The results matter as Papua continues to expand digital access while facing unique educational and mental health challenges among young people.

 

Background: Digital Growth and New Health Risks in Papua

Internet access in Indonesia has expanded rapidly over the past decade, reaching regions that were previously underserved, including Papua. This digital growth has supported education, communication, and economic activity, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated online learning nationwide. However, increased connectivity has also brought new public health concerns, especially among adolescents and young adults.

Medical students represent a high-risk group. Their academic workload is intense, screen time is unavoidable, and many rely heavily on online platforms for lectures, exams, and collaboration. In Papua, these pressures are layered on top of infrastructural limitations, cultural diversity, and uneven digital literacy. As universities modernize learning systems, understanding how students interact with the internet has become a policy and educational priority.

Internet addiction, also known as problematic internet use, has been linked in international research to sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, academic decline, and impaired self-control. Until now, limited data existed on how this issue affects students in Papua, particularly those entering higher education.

 

How the Research Was Conducted

The research took place at the Faculty of Medicine, Cenderawasih University, in Jayapura between August and September 2025. Rumboirusi and Samay used a cross-sectional survey design to assess internet use patterns among first-year medical students.

Key features of the methodology include:

·         Participants: 152 medical students aged 17 to 20 from the 2022–2025 entry cohorts

·         Data collection tool: The Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire (KDAI), a 44-item instrument developed and validated for Indonesian adolescents

·         Procedure: Students completed the questionnaire in a supervised computer-based testing laboratory

·         Analysis: Quantitative analysis using SPSS software

The KDAI measures behavioral, emotional, and social indicators of internet addiction, rather than focusing solely on time spent online. Scores above a defined threshold indicate clinically relevant addiction.

 

Key Findings: Internet Addiction Is Widespread

The results reveal that internet addiction is a real and measurable concern among young medical students at Cenderawasih University.

Main findings include:

·         26.3% of respondents (40 out of 152 students) met the criteria for internet addiction

·         Gender distribution:

o   29 affected students were female

o   11 affected students were male

·         Score range: Addiction scores ranged from 108 to 215 on the KDAI scale

·         Age profile: Most affected students were between 18 and 19 years old

The highest addiction score was recorded in a 19-year-old female student, while the lowest qualifying score was found in an 18-year-old male student. Although female students made up the majority of the sample, the findings still indicate substantial vulnerability across genders.

The researchers note that many respondents experienced prolonged internet exposure during their early adolescence, particularly during COVID-19 lockdowns, when online activity replaced in-person schooling and social interaction.

 

Why These Findings Matter

This research highlights a growing tension between digital inclusion and digital well-being. For Papua, where internet access is often framed as a solution to educational inequality, the findings show that access alone is not enough.

Internet addiction can undermine academic performance, mental health, and social relationships. Among medical students, these risks are especially serious, as future healthcare professionals must manage stress, maintain concentration, and develop healthy coping strategies.

The study also underscores the importance of culturally and regionally appropriate digital education. Papuan students face different challenges than their peers in western Indonesia, including unstable connectivity, limited support systems, and adaptation to technology-driven learning environments.

As Rumboirusi explains in an ethical paraphrase from the study, students need not only internet access but also structured guidance on how to use digital tools responsibly. Without this support, technology meant to enhance learning can instead become a source of harm.

 

Implications for Universities and Policymakers

The findings carry practical implications for higher education institutions, especially medical faculties.

Recommended actions include:

·         Integrating education on healthy internet use into student orientation programs

·         Providing counseling and mental health support for students showing signs of addiction

·         Developing structured e-learning systems that reduce unregulated screen exposure

·         Adopting diverse learning tools beyond continuous video conferencing

For policymakers, the study offers evidence that digital expansion strategies must be paired with mental health safeguards. Preventive programs targeting adolescents and university students can help ensure that technological progress does not come at the cost of psychological well-being.

 

Author Profile

Ricky Lazarus Rumboirusi is a medical researcher affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at Cenderawasih University, Papua. His work focuses on adolescent mental health, behavioral addiction, and public health challenges in eastern Indonesia. Izak Yesaya Samay, MD, M.Kes, Sp.KJ is a psychiatrist and faculty member at Cenderawasih University. His expertise includes psychiatry, behavioral addiction, and mental health education.

 

Source

Journal Article Title: Analysis of Internet Addiction Using Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire (KDAI) among First-Year Medical Students at Cenderawasih University, Papua Province

Journal: Indonesian Journal of Advanced Research

Publication Year: 2026

DOI: 10.55927/ijar.v5i1.16140

Official URL: https://journal.formosapublisher.org/index.php/ijar