861INTERNET ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION AMONG THE YOUNG POPULATION AND ROLE OF DEPRESSIONThis study was to explore internet use behaviours, Internet addiction among a group of youngsters from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. A study was done on young population from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. A total of 200 youngsters were assessed for Internet addiction using google forms survey. The socio-educational and internet use behaviors data sheet was used to gather demographic information and patterns of internet use, Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was utilized to assess IA. Among the total 200 youngsters, majority of the study subjects were male and perusing undergraduates. 20% of students met criterion for mild addictive internet use, 8% for moderate addictive internet use, and 2% for severe addiction to internet. IA was higher among students who were male, staying in rented accommodations, accessed internet several times a day, spent more than 3 h per day on internet, and had psychological distress. Gender, duration of use, time spent per day, frequency of internet use, and psychological distress (depressive symptoms) predicted IA. In the emerging era of internet use, youngsters must take adequate steps to prevent Internet addiction and it’s associated depression to remain more goal oriented drpebyreddy@gmail.comResearch1032019 Internet addiction, Depression, YoungstersSuresh Kumar Chodavaram,Chandra Sekhar GAssociate Professor of Anesthesiology, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry, (Affiliated to Bharath University, Chennai), India,Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry, (Affiliated to Bharath University, Chennai), India