Patterns of the Internet Usage and Related Factors with Internet Addiction among Middle School Students

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Journal of The Korean Society of Maternal and Child Health 2005;9(1):33-49.
Published online January 31, 2005.

Patterns of the Internet Usage and Related Factors with Internet Addiction among Middle School Students

오원옥

동국대학교

중학교 청소년의 인터넷 사용 실태 및 중독 관련 요인

오원옥

동국대학교

Abstract

Objectives
: This study was conducted to investigate the patterns of Internet usage among middle school students and their Internet addiction.
Methods
: A total of 405 middle school students in Seoul, Daegu and Gyungbuk area were surveyed in this study. Data collection was conducted through a self-administrated questionnaire.
Results
: The boys were more active in Internet game and software downloading. On the other hand, the girls were more active in e-mailing, chatting or on-live TV. The higher grade students were more active in using P/C room, Internet clubs and shopping and chatting or on-live TV. Internet addiction among middle school students were mostly average users. But, in the overall ratio distribution, the dangerous groups were high percentage close to 26%. The degree of Internet addiction was significantly different according to gender, economic status, playmates for leisure time, average using time of Internet per week, reasons for Internet use, the number of engaged Internet clubs and the number of visiting to pornographic sites. Factors influencing the degree of Internet addiction were playmates for leisure time, the time frame of Internet use and number of visiting to pornographic sites.
Conclusions
: Through above results, there was the difference in the pattern of Internet usage and Internet addiction according to gender and grade. Therefore when the Internet addiction prevention program is developed, it should be necessary to take into account for the patterns of Internet usage according to gender, grade and the factors influencing Internet addiction.

Key Words: adolescent, internet addiction