Prevalence of Internet Addiction and Resilience among University Library Users at the National Open University of Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of Internet addiction and resilience among university
library users at the National Open University of Nigeria. Recognizing the integral role of the
Internet in academic and social activities, the research aimed to elucidate the extent to which
students exhibited addictive behaviors and their capacity to adapt and cope within the digital
environment. The primary objectives were to identify the extent of internet addiction among library
users in National Open University of Nigeria and to identify the extent of resilience among the
library users in National Open University of Nigeria, thereby informing strategies to promote
healthy Internet use and academic resilience. Employing a descriptive research design, the study
sampled 400 students across six geopolitical zones using stratified random sampling. Data were
collected via structured questionnaires and analysed with SPSS version 26, utilizing descriptive
statistics, correlation, and regression analyses. The findings revealed a significant prevalence of
Internet addiction behaviors, such as excessive online engagement, preference for virtual
interactions, and emotional reliance on the Internet, indicating that many students struggled with
self-regulation in their online activities. Conversely, students generally demonstrated high levels
of resilience, characterized by confidence in utilizing library resources, adaptability to challenges,
and motivation to continue learning despite difficulties. The results underscored a dual scenario:
pervasive problematic Internet use coexisted with strong self-efficacy and resilience in academic
resource utilization. These insights suggested the need for targeted interventions focusing on
digital literacy and responsible Internet use, alongside leveraging students’ resilient traits to foster
balanced and healthy engagement with digital environments. Overall, the study emphasized the
importance of integrative strategies to mitigate Internet addiction while strengthening students’
adaptive capacities to enhance academic success and well-being.