In an extensive study conducted in Taiwan over 49,609 randomly selected students
from 156 Universities were asked in an online survey about their internet use habits.
This study was conducted by Ying-Fang Chen, M.A. and Samuel S. Peng, Ph.D with
the scope of understanding the relationship between internet use and academic
performance.
The respondents to this survey were
divided in two categories heavy users and non heavy users. Students that spend less
than 33.97 hours a week online were classified as non heavy users and those
that spent more than 33.97 hours a week online were classified as heavy users. Survey
found that students on average spend 17 hours online a week and out of that
time: 4.15 hours are spent making new friends, 3.59 hours are spent on academic
work, 3.21 hours on non academic related internet searches, and 2.57 hours
playing games.
The survey also found that psychosocial differences between heavy and non
heavy users were statistically significant. According to this study heavy
internet users are more likely to be depressed, physically ill, and lonely. One
explanation for these results could be the fact that the more time you spend
online the less time you have to spend in the real world.
When it comes to academic performance the difference between non heavy internet
users and heavy internet users is also statistically significant. Data shows
that heavy internet users have lower grades than non heavy internet users. In addition
heavy internet users reported difficulties, learning, studying, completing assignments
and getting enough sleep. As before one possible explanation is the fact that the
more time you spend online the less time you have to spend on academic life.
In conclusion heavy internet use will
not only impact your academic life but also your physiological and
psychological well being.
-Oleg
Frunza
Works Cited
Ying-Fang,
Chen, and Samuel S. Peng. "University Students' Internet Use And Its
Relationships With Academic Performance, Interpersonal Relationships,
Psychosocial Adjustment, And Self-Evaluation." Cyberpsychology &
Behavior 11.4 (2008): 467-469. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27
Mar. 2013.
This is an interesting concept. The hours seem incredible for time spent on the internet. 33.97 hours is a lot of time! I don't spend this kind of time on the computer, and I suppose it's a good thing. With the time I do spend online, I found that my eyes start to feel dry and itchy because I get so engrossed that I forget to blink!
ReplyDeleteThe internet can be an awesome place. Access to so much information and entertainment is really nice sometimes. But it has gotten to the point that it's made us so lazy and even boring to be around. It makes me sick when I'm with a group of people and every single person has their nose stuck into their phone and don't even pay attention to the conversations going on. I hope in the near future we can get better about this. Maybe we will become bored of all the access that we have.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Zach Radmanesh
I agree with Zach, I have a friend who is always on her phone when we hang out, I find this rude and annoying, and have voiced my oppinion on many occasions. It seems ignoring that someone took time out of their schedule to meet for lunch or visit is becoming more and more widley accepted. One might argue that moving with the times is the thing to do but i think not, especially if common courtesies are at stake.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Rebecca Ries
These statistics are staggering! The Internet has definitely became a huge part of most our lives. We use it for work, school,business,household things, entertainment, and as a source of information. With all that we use it for, I can see how it can be hard to draw line at when it becomes excessive use. I would like to know how many of these hours factor in smartphone use. The fact that we have access to the Internet at any point in time doesn't help and I just wondered whether those hours was considered in the statistics. Also, I think what enables heavy internet use is the need for an escape from reality. Social networking sites, games, and other forms of entertainment offer us a whole new virtual world. We can be whoever/whatever we'd like to be. For many people, it could be a way to cope with an undesirable/stressful reality.
ReplyDeleteInternet addiction is definitely becoming a huge factor in society! I work with a few people who literally spend hours a day playing games online. I find that when I spend a lot of time online that I start to feel isolated from the 'real world' and honestly just don't feel that great. I can see where internet addiction can cause depression or feelings of loneliness. I don't believe that anything can replace 'real-life' interactions. The Internet is such a powerful tool and full of information, but it must be used with caution. Too much of anything can lead to problems!
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I have discussed this in great detail many, many times, and like Zach, we've noticed how "unsocial" we as a society have become since the start of the social media age. My family is really close and we get together on a regular basis, and it irritates me to no end that some of my relatives spend our time together buried in their electronic devices. And when they're not, it seems we have less to talk about because everyone already knows what's going on in each others' lives. It's sad really, but it's not surprising. Much the same way calculators have made us dumb to real computation, computers and social media are surely making us less social.
ReplyDeleteI find this to be so true. As I have previously learned Motion effects you emotions positively, so the more time you spend sitting down at a computer the more likely you will generate a negative attitude. In today's world we seem to forget that actual conversation and human interaction is important to our mental state. So yes we might be communicating with others through social media,e-mail,and various ways online, however staring at a computer is not the type of interaction our minds crave for.
ReplyDelete