Factors influencing internet addiction among Malaysian adults

• Main Authors: Masrom, Maslin, Wan Zakaria, Wan Normeza
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: T Technology (General)
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/13260/1/71.pdf; http://repo.uum.edu.my/13260/; http://www.ssd.uum.edu.my
• Institution: Universiti Utara Malaysia

The internet has brought many changes in our life and society.It provides positive and negative aspects to users, for example in terms of positive aspects; it allows the users to access and obtain information, and communication, commerce, research and entertainment.Meanwhile, for negative impacts the internet can create many problems when users are overly engrossed in using it and becoming addicted, this is called internet addiction. Internet addiction refers to an individual's inability to control his or her use of the internet, and may differs among others by age, gender, communication styles, and hours spent online.The major objective of this study is to examine factors influencing internet addiction among Malaysian adults.The specific objectives of this study are: (i) to identify factors of internet addiction; (ii) to identify computer and internet use among Malaysian adults; and (iii) to determine factors affecting the internet addiction among Malaysian adults.The internet Addiction Test (IAT) developed by Dr Kimberly Young in 1998 is used as an instrument to measure the internet addiction.The results of this study provide the information that can contribute to propose the prevention guideline or program of internet addiction for adults.