INTERNET ADDICTION

ABSTRACT:

The Internet is considered as one of the most important foundations of the modern society. Its creation and introduction to the world during the late 19th century has brought about a large heap of development as to how humans perceive the importance of communication, connection and information. Internet Addiction is defined as any online-related, compulsive behaviour which interferes with normal living and causes severe stress on family, friends, loved ones, and one’s work environment. The purpose of this study is to identify the extend of Internet Addiction present among the students of  VIII A of B.G.H.S , Njaralloor. The standard Internet Addiction Tool was used for the test. The study showed that most of the students of class 8A of B.G.H.S , Njaralloor  have moderate level of Internet Addiction

.

INTRODUCTION:

Internet Addiction is described as an impulse control disorder, which does not involve use of an intoxicating drug and is very similar to pathological gambling.  Some Internet users may develop an emotional attachment to on-line friends and activities they create on their computer screens. Internet users may enjoy aspects of the Internet that allow them to meet, socialize, and exchange ideas through the use of chat rooms, social networking websites, or "virtual communities."   Other Internet users spend endless hours researching topics of interest Online or "blogging".  Blogging is a contraction of the term "Web log", in which an individual will post commentaries and keep regular chronicle of events.  It can be viewed as journaling and the entries are primarily textual.

The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) is a reliable measure that covers the key characteristics of pathological online use. The test measures the extend of the client’s involvement with the computer and classifies the addictive behaviour in terms of mild, moderate and severe impairment.

AIM:

To study the extend of Internet Addiction present among the students of  VIII A of B.G.H.S , Njaralloor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MATERIALS:

The standard Internet Addiction Tool was used for the test. The IAT was the first validated instrument for the assessment of Internet and computer Addiction. A study by Kimberly Young found that the IAT is a reliable measure, covering the most important elements characteristics of pathological Internet use. There are 20 items in the rating scale. Young people are asked to rate the degree to which they experience each symptom in a 5 point frequency scale. Each question of the questionnaire addresses the frequency of certain Internet addition symptoms, measured on a five point scale with score of 0 to 5 from “rarely/ never”, “every once in a while”, “sometimes”, “often” and “always”. The minimum score is 20 and maximum score is 100.

PROCEDURE:

            The study was conducted on students of 8A class of St. Peter’s HSS, Kolenchery. For the study, a standard test item on Internet Addiction Test was selected. The scale opens by asking the child to read and follow the instructions in the printed questionnaire. The child is asked to rate the 5 point scale: “rarely/ never”, “every once in a while”, “sometimes”, “often” and “always” to indicate how often each of these items happens to them. There is no set time period over which the judgement has to be made. The response is made by circling the appropriate frequency word. Later the items were scored according to the response of the students.

SCORING:

Only the 20 items are scored.

The responses are scored:

Never/ Rarely = 1

Every once in a while =2

Sometimes = 3

Often = 4

Always = 5

This yields a maximum possible score of 100.

No.	Name of the student	Total Score
1	Abhishek Anil	82
2	Abin P.B	52
3	Aby Manikunju	54
4	Aleena Sivan	81
5	Amal Mohan	50
6	Alwin Skaria	60
7	Ananya Kumaran	54
8	Ancy Mathai	40
9	Ansa Sunny	50
10	Anto Basil Paul	42
11	Anu George	84
12	Bency T Kurian	56
13	Devika K.A	27
14	Halam Salam	73
15	Jeevan Grigar	80
16	Meenu Varghese	62
17	Melvin Babu	55
18	Milan P Thomas	74
19	Sandra Paul	76
20	Sara Babu	23
21	Shalu R	58
22	Silpa George	40
23	Sara Babu	29
24	Sreelakshmi E.H	74
25	Sona Saji	44
26	Tony Babu	85
27	Teena Paul	78
28	Veena M.J	48
29	Vrinda Akhil	53

RESULTS:

Level of Addiction	Standard score		Number of responses
High level	80-100		5
Moderate level	50-79		16
Low level /No Addiction	20-49		8
Total no of students		29	29

Total number of students =29

Minimum score obtained = 23

Maximum score obtained = 85

Average score obtained = 50

           The standard scoring for high level of Internet Addiction is in between 80-100; for moderate level of Internet Addiction is between 50-79 and for low or no Addiction is between 20-49. The study showed that most of the students of class 8A of B.G.H.S , Njaralloor have moderate level of Internet Addiction. The maximum score observed was 85 and the lowest score was 23.         

            Thus, with the help of statistical tool, it has been found that the students of 8A St. Peter’s HSS, Kolenchery have moderate level of Internet Addiction.

CONCLUSION:

           The extend of Internet Addiction of each individual is different. It depends on many factors such as life style, access to Internet working, parents, neighbourhood, peers etc.  The study shows that the students of 8 A B.G.H.S , Njaralloor have moderate level of Internet Addiction. It may be because peer and parents have only given them either limited access or may not be able to afford it. Some of the students have no access at all.

          Allowing students to have controlled access to interest is good as they should be aware of the latest developments happening in and around the world. It also helps them to access education related information. But when the Internet access becomes uncontrolled or uncontrolled, it becomes a curse. Then the students will not be able to understand the pros and cons of the Internet. So it is the responsibility of the parents and the teachers to educate their children regarding the good and bad effects of Internet.