A STUDY OF INTERNET ADDICTION AMONGST COLLEGE LEVEL STUDENTS

Muhammad Javed
Lecturer/ HOD Educational Training
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar Campus
(PhD Scholar, Durham University UK)
email: mjaved_iub@yahoo.com
M.Waseem Iqbal
Lecturer Department of Computer Science & IT
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar Campus
email: yourwaseem@yahoo.com

The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks, which comprises thousands
of smaller networks. The term Internet was practically anonymous to most of the students ten
years ago, but today it has become most ever powerful tool for communication of thoughts, ideas
and notions all over the world and is reducing the communication gap speedily. Internet
addiction is an uncontrollable behavior, which interferes to daily life, work and relationship. The
excessive misuse of Internet has made the youngsters emotionally, psychologically and mentally
sick too. The study was conducted in order to analyze the intensity of Internet addiction amongst
the college level students.
A small sample consisting of 900 students from 30 colleges of Division Bahawalpur was taken by
giving representation to all Colleges in this Division, which has three Districts, and 15 Tehsils.
Two colleges (one male and one female) were selected from each Tehsil. Thirty (30) students from
each college, (15 each from 3rd and 4th years class) were selected randomly, moreover 90
internet users (30 from each District) were added in this sample from internet cafes within this
Division. Total sampling was 990. A questioner was developed to collect the data and was
analyzed by using SPSS XIV. A comparison was also made on gender, class, age and
demographical bases. Majority of the students waste their time on Internet by watching movies,
songs, porn sites and chatting. Female students use Internet lesser then that of male students.
Keywords: Internet addiction, Communication, Pornography, Advantages and Disadvantages.

INTRODUCTION
The standardized, global system of interconnected computer network that connects trillions of people at a
time is called Internet. The system uses the Internetworking Protocols/Transmission Control Protocol
(IP/TCP); a set of rules for data communication presentation, signaling, authentication and error detection.
It is the combination of networks which comprises billions of private, public, academic, business, and
recreational networks. These wide range of networks are linked with copper wires, fiber optic cables,
wireless connections, and other advanced technologies. The Internet has a vast capacity to transmit massive
information and services. It is worth mentioning that Internet plays its

A BRIEF HISTORY
As regards its history; the research projects of the United States of America for its military agencies to build
robust fault-tolerant and distributed computer networks gave birth to Internet in 1960s. This research
funded by the National Science Foundation generated global contribution in the advancement of the new
networking technologies and opened new horizons for commercialization of an international worldwide
network in the last decade of 20th century and it revolutionized in every aspect of modern human life.
According to a survey conducted in 2009, approximately one fourth of the world’s population utilizes the
services of the Internet. (Norton: 2007)
Forouzan (2004, P16), Internet is a collaboration of more than hundreds of thousands interconnected
networks. Private, individuals, as well as various organizations, such as government agencies, schools,
research facilities, corporations and libraries in more than hundred countries use the Internet. This extra
ordinary communication system came into being in 1969.
A computer network helps to communicate with each other for the purpose to share valuable information.
The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) funded design of the” Advanced Research Projects
Agency Network” (ARPANET) for the United States
Department of Defense (DOD). It was the pioneer functional computer network in the world. Advancement
of the network commenced in 1969 on the bases of designs started in the 1960s. (Mustafa: 2008)
WHAT IS INTERNET ADDICTION?
Greenfield (1999) defined sub types of impulsive- control problem related to Internet addiction.
Cybersexual Addiction- It is common type in which an individual suffers from cybersex/Internet
pornography addiction by engaging himself/herself in viewing, downloading, chatting and trading online
pornography.
Cyber-Relational Addiction- In such type of addiction an individual involves and deeply engrosses to chat
room, consequently they develop friendship and affairs with people, which even disturb real life family
relationships. Sometimes it results in family instability and conflicts.
Net Compulsions- Online gaming, online gambling, and eBay are common addictions, which create severe
problems. Such types of addicts lose lots of money and even ignore their job-related duties or important
relations.
Information Overload - The addicts keeps itself in collecting data from different websites. Individuals spend
excessive amount of time in searching and organizing information. This time-consuming process results in
ignoring other essential duties.
Computer Addiction- Different kinds of computer game like Solitaire and Minesweeper programmed into
computers and other games available on CDs make the user addict. The computer games have created
problems for managerial setup as employees spend a lot of time in playing rather than working. Moreover,
the addicts watch movies, listen songs.
On the basis of the above-mentioned kinds Young (1998) developed eight criteria to diagnose Internet
addiction:
Do you remain anxious about previous online activity or anticipate next one.
2) Do you want to extend time duration in order to achieve satisfaction?
3) Have you ever made unsuccessful effort to minimize, or discontinue Internet use?
4) Do you feel restless, depressed, or irritable after the decision to stop Internet use?
5) Do you remain online for a longer time than originally anticipated duration?
6) Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of important relationships, job, learning or career opportunity
because of the use of excessive fruitless activities on Internet?
7) Do you lie to family members, psychotherapist/counselor, or others to conceal the activities involved
with the Internet?
8) Do you use the Internet as a means to escape from problems or to relieve a depressed mood, feelings of
helplessness and unhappiness, guilt and anxiety?
If the response of an individual is "yes" to five or more questions it means he/she is suffering from Internet
addiction over a six-month period.

FACTS OF PREVIOUS RESEARCH

Internet addiction is a global problem and according to studies at the Center for Internet Addiction
Recovery (CTAR) the facts are as follows:
Two third of office workers misuse the Internet during working hours by reading personal email, or visiting
pornography, gaming or gambling.
Individuals who suffer from depression, anxiety-disorders, social phobia and other uncontrollable disorders
are expected to develop more Internet addiction.
Cyber sex is the most common form of Internet addiction.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the effective form for Internet addicts’ treatment.
Children who suffer from Internet addiction are more likely to suffer from dejection, face academic and
social problems at school, and are at greater risk to develop physical illness, fatness, and carpel tunnel
syndrome.
According to the feelings of Stanford University School of Medicine Study, 1 out of 8 Americans suffer
from Internet Addiction, 14% of respondents found it hard to refrain from Internet use for several days,
5.9% said; excessive Internet use affected their relationships, 8.2% responded the Internet was a means to
escape from the real world. According to the Chinese Government, approximately 13% Chinese teenagers
suffer from Internet addiction and they have banned the opening of Internet cafes for the year 2007.
The Government of China funded a military-style boot camp to combat the disease. Patients are males
between 14 and 19 years old. This China boot camp reported a 70% recovery rate and over 1,500
youngsters who have received treatment at this facility operating since 2004.
In Germany, estimates suggest that about 1 million people are addicted to the Internet, or about three per
cent of the German online population. In 2003, the German social security services instituted the first camp
in the seaside town of Boltenhagen, Northern Germany.
It is the first camp of its kind in Europe and aims to wean children off computers. In Amsterdam, the first
Detoxification Center to treat video game addiction opened in 2006.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Mumbai adopted a measure to cut the students use of Internet in
the school dormitories after the suicide of an IIT student in October 2005 due to Internet abuse.
http://www.netaddiction.com/resources/Internet_addiction_test.htm
The diagnosis of Internet addiction could be done if an individual spends more than 38 hours per week on
the Internet except online professional needs. The increment in time spent for computer along with Internet
use is the basic symptom of Internet addiction.
http;//www.webopedia.com. Retrieved on 04-08-2008

INTERNET ADDICTION DISORDER

Internet Addiction Disorder is the term first proposed by Goldberg (1996) for pathological, compulsive
Internet usage. He proposed the term Internet Addiction Disorder first for pathological, compulsive Internet
usage. American Psychiatric Association has designed pertinent criteria to judge Internet Addiction
Disorder in a person. According to APA three or more criteria must be present at any time during one year
period as follows:
· To increase a sufficient amount of time on the Internet to achieve mental satisfaction and/or continue with
the same amount of time on the Internet.
· Disturbance and depression after the removal of two or more symptoms within one month period. It also
affects social, personal or occupational functioning of an individual. It includes psycho-motor agitation
anxiety, neurotic thinking about what is happening on the Internet; fantasies or dreams about the Internet.
The Internet is often accessed for longer periods of time than was intended.
· A considerable amount of time is spent in searching out new Web sites.
· The essential social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of excessive
Internet use.
· The individual takes risk of the loss of an important relationship, job, educational or career opportunity
because of excessive use of the Internet.
According to the Bai' s (2001) results of recent research, other characteristics have been identified.
Firstly: The feelings of restlessness or irritability after reducing time for Internet use.
Secondly: The Internet is used as a means to escape from problems or relieving feelings of helplessness,
remorse, anxiety or depression.
Thirdly: In this situation the user lies to family members or friends to conceal the real activities spent on
Internet.
Internet Addiction Disorder is considered a closest to pathological gambling. However, addiction has severe
impacts on each and every aspect of the person' s life which is just as devastating as those of alcoholism.
http://www.virtual-addiction.com

Greenfield (1999) reported on the basis of his experience and observation that most of the young working
women, reported at private psychiatric clinic for treatment, are indulged into Internet addictions. These
women were found in a state of acute distress, anxiety, and depression, with suicidal intentions due to love
affairs on Internet. Further he narrated that more than a dozen young school and college girls (Internet
addicts) were brought to his clinic by parents. All these girls had showed poor performance in class and
remained mostly absent from their classes, spent most of the time in chatting on Internet or sending text
messages to their friends (mostly boys). They were bad-tempered, discourteous and belligerent in their
behavior. Antisocial behaviors like stealing money, roaming around with boyfriends during school or
college hours & sexual activities, were common in these girls.

PORNOGRAPHY
Halsall (2007) explained that pornography or porn is the depiction of unambiguous sexual subject matter
for the purposes of sexual satisfaction. Pornography may consist of a variety of electronic and print media,
printed literature, photo, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, film audio, video or video game.
Over the past few decades, a gigantic industry for the production and consumption of pornography has
grown with the increasing use of the VCR, the DVD, and the Internet, as well as the social attitude has
become more liberal regarding sexual portrayals. Pornographic actors or actresses commonly known as
“porn star” are generally contributing their role towards sexual activities via the Internet and trampled down
the morality of young generation.

ADVANTAGES OF INTERNET
Mustafa and et al. (2008) mentioned important advantages and disadvantages of Internet.
1). Information on any topic can be sought by using search engines on Internet.
2). Email, which is an inexpensive and fast way of communication, is used to send
messages, pictures and files from one part of the world to another part.
3). A person can deal with his customers throughout the world to carry out financial
and business dealings using Internet known as E-commerce and E-banking.
4). Many colleges and universities provide online results.
8). Many websites provide information regarding job vacancies, diseases, and medical
problems.
9). Internet provides a lot of entertainment like games, songs, movies and live matches.
10). It provides the facilities for video conferencing and online education.
11). Internet provides many facilities for research work.
12). People can use Internet for video conferencing and can talk by watching one another.
13) An individual can access to encyclopedias, and newspapers etc., for deep information
.

DISADVANTAGES OF INTERNET
The hackers can hack the data stored on computer and can use this data illegally.
Internet contains a large number of immoral websites. These sites contain such type of materials that
destroy the moral values and character of youngsters.
Different types of viruses can destroy the valuable data in computer.
Youngsters waste their time in chatting which affects their performance.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major objectives of the study were bifurcated into following;
1). To find out the students’ views about the advantages and disadvantages of Internet.
2). To find out the level and depth of Internet addiction amongst college level students.
3). To give useful suggestions to improve the students’ habits regarding the utilization.
of Internet addiction.

METHOD AND PROCEDURE

The intended target population was the student of college level. A small sample consisting of 900 students
from 30 Colleges of Division Bahawalpur was taken by giving representation to all Colleges in this
Division which has 3 Districts and 15 Tehsil. Two colleges (one male and one female) were selected from
each tehsil. Thirty (30) students from each college, (15 each from 3rd and 4th year class) were selected
randomly. Moreover, 90 internet users (30 form each District) were added in this sample from internet cafes
within this Division. Total sampling was 990.

RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS
After reviewing the related literature, a questionnaire on a five point Likret scale was developed to collect
the data about the Internet addiction from the college level students from Division Bahawalpur as research
tool. Thirty-four items were carefully included in this rating scale. The respondents were required to
respond on a five point Likret scale. The test was personally administered to the sample.
DATA ANALYSIS
To analyze the data, students’ responses were converted into numerical scale according to the description;
Always 5, Frequently 4, Occasionally 3, Seldom 2, and Never 1. The data was analyzed by using
percentage and standard deviation. In such a way, an overall analysis was done in a single master table for
each item which gave a general picture of the existence of the level of Internet addiction amongst college
level students.
RESULTS
All the items included in the questionnaire were analyzed separately. However it was not possible to
describe all those results here which were expanded in 34 tables. Hence here a consolidated result of study
is given in a single table only.
Table .1 Showing the views of college students & net cafe users about Internet use (n=990)
S. Statements 5 4 3 2 1 SD
Do you feel uneasiness when you can not 203 143 119 113 412
1 use Internet? (20.50)* (14.44) (12.02) (11.41) (41.62) 7.46
Do you use internet when you feel 208 137 202 220 223
2 1.13
depressed, anxiety and moody? (21.01) (13.84) (20.40) (22.22) (22.53)
Do you neglect your friends, family, and 212 133 186 200 259
3 2.89
responsibilities? (21.41) (13.43) (18.79) (20.20) (26.16)
 Do you feel guilty, shame when you use 265 146 179 165 235
4 sexy sites? (26.77) (14.75) (18.08) (16.67) (23.74) 3.18
Does your studies affect due to the 218 173 147 193 259
5 2.73
excessive use of Internet? (22.02) (17.48) (14.85) (19.49) (26.16)
Do you go Internet café to use net? 183 181 207 232 187
6 1.38
(18.48) (18.28) (20.91) (23.43) (18.89)
Do you develop new relationships and 251 190 209 152 188
7 friendships through Internet? (25.35) (19.19) (21.11) (15.35) (18.99) 2.29
Do you like to chat with boyfriends? 198 226 183 196 187
8 1.07
(20.00) (22.83) (18.48) (19.80) (18.89)
Do you like to chat with girlfriends? 287 113 150 212 228
9 4.33
(28.99) (11.41) (15.15) (21.41) (23.03)
Do you download sexy movies, songs? 301 196 220 178 95
10 4.73
(30.40) (19.80) (22.22) (17.98) (9.60)
*The figures in the parenthesis represent the percentage.

FINDINGS
1- Most of internet users responded that they seldom use Internet when they feel uneasiness.
2- One third of the respondents use Internet when they feel depressed and anxiety.
3- The majority of the net users do not neglect their friends, family and responsibilities.
4- Round about one third of the total respondents feel guilty, shame when they use sexy sites.
5- The majority of the net users claim that Internet does not affect their studies.
6- The majority of the Internet users use Internet at their home, only a few users go to internet cafes.
7- More than 50 per cent internet users responded that they develop new relationships and friendships
through Internet.
8- The majority of the students like to chat with their boyfriends and girlfriends as well.
9- More than 50% internet users download songs and sexy movies.

OTHER FINDINGS ON THE BASES OF ANALYSIS

1- Teenagers from 16-18 years old students are more Internet users than that of other students.
2- Male students use more Internet than that of female students, moreover they waste their time by watching
movies and porn sites, listening songs and downloading sexy pictures.
3- The majority of the students waste their money by using Internet without any useful purpose.
4- Only a few students watch educational sites.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Internet is a marvelous invention in this modern era. It provides lots of benefits to human beings especially
to the students. The students should get the benefits from Internet to maximum level. They should not waste
their precious time and money by watching useless sites. They should watch educational sites which may
beneficial for them in their studies and career. They should use it for a reasonable time so that the
excessive use of Internet may not affect their health.

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