Combating harmful Internet use with peer assessment and differential evolution

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel method combining peer assessment and differential evolution to measure harmful Internet use more accurately among juveniles, revealing higher prevalence rates than previous estimates.

Contribution

It presents a new measurement approach for HIU using peer assessment and differential evolution, improving accuracy over traditional methods.

Findings

Higher HIU rates detected than previous studies

Differential evolution enhances measurement precision

Implications for healthcare and welfare planning

Abstract

Harmful Internet use (HIU) is a term coined for the unintended use of the Internet. In this study, we propose a more accurate HIU measuring method based on the peer assessment and differential evolution approach. The sample data comprises a juvenile population in Poland; 267 subjects assessed 1,513 peers. In addition to classic statistical analysis, differential evolution has been employed. Results indicate that there may be a substantially higher rate of HIU than other studies have indicated. More accurate measurement of the adolescent population influx affected by HIU is needed for healthcare and welfare system planning. Presented in Prague, Czech Republic, 20-22 July 2022.