The Internet offers many attractive activities for adolescents, such as socializing with people, shopping, education, and entertainment (Abdel-Salam et al., 2019; Anikputa & Horner, 2021; Saquib, 2020). However, excessive Internet use may lead to negative physical, psychological, and social outcomes (Bener et al., 2019; Chemnad et al., 2023; Kitiş et al., 2022; Mohammadi et al., 2020; Saikia et al., 2019). Internet addiction (IA), also known as “problematic Internet use,” is defined by the American Psychological Association (APA) as “a behavioral pattern characterized by excessive or obsessive online and offline computer use that leads to distress and impairment” (American Psychological Association, 2022). The Internet affects adolescents more than other age groups (Chemnad et al., 2023; Tang et al., 2020). Adolescence is the stage of exploring identity and becoming more independent (Chemnad et al., 2023). Therefore, Intenet may participate in forming the identity of adolescents. This population is more likely to become addicted to the Internet due to increased impulsivity levels and cognitive development (Chemnad et al., 2023).

The prevalence of IA among adolescents has increased over time worldwide. In 2013, it was as low as 3.7% in the Netherlands (Kuss et al., 2013) and 29% in Malaysia in 2017 (Ying et al., 2021). In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of IA among adolescents increased from 5% in 2010 to 19% in 2023 (Alhantoushi & Alabdullateef, 2014; Bumozah; 2023). In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic reached Saudi Arabia. In response to the outbreak of COVID-19, many actions occurred, including staying at home, increasing internet use, and playing video games.

Research reveals that IA affects a person's psychological status. The IA contributes to the development of stress, anxiety, and depression (Al Shawi et al., 2021; Javaeed et al., 2019; Saikia et al., 2019; Sayed et al., 2022; Younes et al., 2016). Understanding the issue of IA and its impact on psychological health is important to provide prompt interventions, which in turn prevent long-lasting psychological morbidities. However, studies on IA and its impact on the psychological health of adolescents are scarce in Saudi Arabia. Saudi society is religiously conservative. Parents, family, community, schools, and authorities have control over the adolescents (Saquib, 2020). Many webpages are restricted in Saudi Arabia due to confrontation with cultural and religious values. Adolescents in Saudi Arabia cannot access all websites on the internet. Although adolescents in Saudi Arabia are controlled to some degree, they may not be immune from IA and its psychological consequences. It is worth assessing if the IA psychologically affects adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study assessed the relationship between IA and perceived stress, anxiety, and depression of adolescents in Saudi Arabia.