Introduction: There are evidences that the internet dependency may affect the physical and mental health of adolescents and young adults. Objectives: Check the prevalence of internet dependency in university students in the city of Pelotas and investigate associated factors.

Methods: Cross–sectional study carried out with a sample of 1,029 freshman university students from the Federal University of Pelotas, Sul–riograndense Federal Institute – Campus CaVG and Catholic University of Pelotas. We used the International Addiction Test, Beck Depression Inventory and the Game Addiction Scale (GAS). Proportions were compared by using the chi–square test and stratified analyses.

Results: The prevalence of internet dependency was of 41,7%, those who presented changes in the screen test for depression had 83% more than internet dependency than those who did not present it.

Conclusions: Younger university students presented higher prevalences of internet dependency. There is a significant association with depression.