Adequate sleep is a core human requirement, playing a critical role in maintaining mental and physical health as well as overall life quality. Sleep disruptions are frequently associated with lifestyle factors, including prolonged internet use. Investigating the prevalence of internet gaming disorder among young people in Saudi Arabia and its connection to sleep patterns is therefore essential. This study aimed to explore the relationship between internet addiction and sleep quality among medical college students in Najran, Jazan, and King Khalid universities in southern Saudi Arabia. This study surveyed 338 medical students from southern Saudi Arabia (mean ± SD age = 21.2 ± 3.29 years) using an online questionnaire. The survey incorporated the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data analysis utilized chi-square tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and iterative modeling to explore relationships between variables. Among participants, 21% were classified with severe internet addiction, and 31% with moderate addiction. Poor sleep quality was significantly linked to higher levels of internet addiction, explaining 75% of the variance in IAT scores even after accounting for demographic factors. Additional analyses indicated that students spending six or more hours daily online reported worse sleep and higher addiction levels. Male students were more vulnerable to internet addiction than females, and affected students generally showed lower academic performance. These findings highlight the strong interplay between internet addiction and sleep disturbances among medical students and point toward the need for interventions and programs designed to reduce excessive internet use and promote healthier sleep behaviors.
