Objective <p>This study investigates the mediating role of internet addiction in the relationship between inhibitory control (a core executive function) and high-risk behaviors among adolescents.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 adolescents (M_age = 14.1 years, SD = 0.8; 52% female) recruited from public schools via a stratified random sampling technique. A power analysis (GPower) indicated a required sample of 250 for a medium effect size (f² = 0.15, α = 0.05, power = 0.95); our final sample of 300 exceeded this requirement. Participants completed the Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and the High-Risk Behavior Questionnaire (HRBQ). Inhibitory control was assessed using a computer-administered Stroop Color-Word Test. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations and a mediation analysis (Hayes’ PROCESS Macro, Model 4) with bootstrapping (5000 samples), controlling for age and gender.</p> Results <p>Poorer inhibitory control (higher Stroop interference score) was significantly associated with higher levels of internet addiction (<i>r</i> = 0.38, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) and more high-risk behaviors (<i>r</i> = 0.31, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Internet addiction was also positively correlated with high-risk behaviors (<i>r</i> = 0.45, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). The mediation analysis confirmed that internet addiction partially mediated the relationship between inhibitory control and high-risk behaviors (indirect effect: β = 0.12, 95% CI [0.06, 0.19]; direct effect: β = 0.19, <i>p</i> = 0.002; total effect: β = 0.31, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001).</p> Conclusions <p>In a sample with generally low levels of high-risk behaviors, deficits in inhibitory control were linked to increased risk, partly through a tendency toward compulsive internet use. Findings suggest that interventions targeting inhibitory control and internet use habits may be a promising avenue for future research and development.</p>