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An exploratory study on internet use among adolescents in Singapore
Author
Yeo, Evania Yu Jie
Supervisor
Chye, Stephanie Yen Leng
Abstract
This study examined Internet use among adolescents in Singapore, looking specifically at their Internet Use Patterns (IUP) and their Underlying Motivations for Internet use. In addition, it also looked at two critical factors, Gender Differences and Compulsive Internet Use (CIU), in each of the two domains. A mixed methods design was used in the data collection process involving a group of 142 adolescents aged 13 – 16, with the majority of them being 14 years of age. The study employed a questionnaire consisting of 3 sections that includes a participant’s demographic information, Meerkerk’s Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS), and their IUP and Underlying Motivations. Four Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) were subsequently conducted for the male and female, compulsive and non-compulsive users to compare and contrast their underlying motivations for Internet use.
Results from this study showed that all participants have used the Internet and are spending an average of 26 hours a week online. It was found that about 94.44% of the male participants and 88.57% of the female participants used the Internet at least 2 – 3 times a week. The proportion of participants who used the Internet on a daily basis was comparable between the males (about 50%) and females (about 51.43%). The average time spent online between the genders was also comparable, with the female adolescents spending 29.2 hours per week and the male adolescents spending 22.8 hours per week.
The results also showed that both genders frequented chat and social networking. Additionally, the females also frequented downloading media and the males frequented gaming. While both genders were primarily motivated by the need to communicate and maintain relationships and to seek fun and enjoyment in their Internet use, the females were also motivated by the need to access a wider variety of media. Online chatting and gaming were found to have predicted compulsive use where users were generally intrinsically motivated. Non-compulsive users, in contrast, were more extrinsically motivated when using the Internet.
The findings from this study may value add to the local community, helping parents and educators to have a better understanding of their adolescents’ Internet use, their underlying motivations and the problems that may arise. Having greater awareness and insights in these areas will help parents, educators and counsellors devise effective strategies that help detect and deter compulsive use, and promote a healthy Internet use culture for their adolescents.
Results from this study showed that all participants have used the Internet and are spending an average of 26 hours a week online. It was found that about 94.44% of the male participants and 88.57% of the female participants used the Internet at least 2 – 3 times a week. The proportion of participants who used the Internet on a daily basis was comparable between the males (about 50%) and females (about 51.43%). The average time spent online between the genders was also comparable, with the female adolescents spending 29.2 hours per week and the male adolescents spending 22.8 hours per week.
The results also showed that both genders frequented chat and social networking. Additionally, the females also frequented downloading media and the males frequented gaming. While both genders were primarily motivated by the need to communicate and maintain relationships and to seek fun and enjoyment in their Internet use, the females were also motivated by the need to access a wider variety of media. Online chatting and gaming were found to have predicted compulsive use where users were generally intrinsically motivated. Non-compulsive users, in contrast, were more extrinsically motivated when using the Internet.
The findings from this study may value add to the local community, helping parents and educators to have a better understanding of their adolescents’ Internet use, their underlying motivations and the problems that may arise. Having greater awareness and insights in these areas will help parents, educators and counsellors devise effective strategies that help detect and deter compulsive use, and promote a healthy Internet use culture for their adolescents.
Date Issued
2013
Call Number
HQ799.2.I5 Yeo
Date Submitted
2013