Peer Assessment of Harmful Internet Use in Youth: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Dr Korczak’s Pediatric Principles (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Harmful Internet Use (HIU) represents a growing concern, particularly among children and adolescents. While existing classifications such as Internet Gaming Disorder in the DSM-5 and Gaming Disorder in the ICD-11 address specific internet-related behaviors, they fail to encompass the full spectrum of adverse consequences - including social withdrawal, impaired personal hygiene, and emotional dysregulation. Moreover, the tools commonly used to assess HIU, such as self-assessments or parental evaluations, lack reliability. OBJECTIVE This study introduces a novel approach inspired by Janusz Korczak’s educational philosophy, emphasizing the role of children as active participants in evaluating others within their age-proximal social group. The goal was to evaluate whether peer-based assessments yield more accurate insights into the prevalence and impact of HIU. METHODS A total of 104 Polish children evaluated 1038 children and adolescents using a 9-item rating scale. Items were scored on an ordinal scale ranging from 0 to 3, with intermediate values (0.5, 1.5, 2.5) permitted. Statistical analyses included frequency distributions to describe response patterns, Spearman’s rank correlations, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses of summed scores (Q1–Q7) against severity ratings (Q8). RESULTS Approximately two-thirds of peer-reported evaluations indicated awareness of HIU, and over 60% rated the severity as moderate or high. Functional impacts such as social withdrawal and poorer school performance were commonly observed. All items were positively correlated, with Q8 strongly linked to Q2 and Q7. ROC analyses showed good discrimination between the lowest ratings (0/0.5) and the highest rating (3), while adjacent categories were more difficult to distinguish. SEM suggested that awareness and avoidance Peer assessment is a promising and more objective method for identifying HIU in youth populations. Given the increasing role of digital technology in children's lives, there is an urgent need for schools and mental health systems to adopt innovative tools that include participatory evaluation models rooted in respect and dialogue, as advocated by Korczak. of other activities predicted attempts to reduce HIU, while preference for HIU over socializing reduced them. CONCLUSIONS Peer assessment is a promising and more objective method for identifying HIU in youth populations. Given the increasing role of digital technology in children's lives, there is an urgent need for schools and mental health systems to adopt innovative tools that include participatory evaluation models rooted in respect and dialogue, as advocated by Korczak.