Internet Addiction Among College Students in India: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends, Patterns, and Future Directions (2001-2025)

Abstract

This comprehensive bibliometric study examines research on internet addiction among college students in India, by analyzing publication trends, thematic developments, and collaboration patterns to identify knowledge gaps and future directions. A systematic search of the Scopus database (2001 to May 2025) yielded 520 relevant documents. The bibliometric analysis employed multiple tools, including Excel for data organization, Biblioshiny for bibliometric indicators and thematic mapping, and VOSviewer for network visualization. The results revealed an annual publication growth rate of 14.54%, accelerating notably during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021). Five thematic clusters emerged: (1) internet addiction in e-learning contexts among medical and dental students, (2) pandemic impacts on online learning and psychological well-being, (3) knowledge and attitudes during lockdown periods, (4) mental health and risk behaviors in the digital era, and (5) social media addiction and academic performance. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) led with 87 publications, and international collaboration accounted for 13.85% of studies. As the first comprehensive study in this area, it highlights significant research growth alongside critical gaps in longitudinal, intervention, and cross-cultural studies. These findings offer valuable insights for developing evidence-based policies to address internet addiction in Indian higher education.