INTERNET ADDICTION AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN UNIVERSITIES IN DELTA STATE,NIGERIA

Abstract

Internet use has become a common phenomenon among undergraduates all over the world. Hence the study investigated Internet addiction among undergradluates in universities in Delta State, Nigeria. Three research questions were raised and one hypothesis tested. The specific objectives of the research were to find out the Internet activities engaged in by the undergraduates, how many hours do they spend on the Internet in a day, their level of Internet addiction. The descriptive survey design was employed for this study. The population of the study was 43,500 undergraduates in three universities in Delta State. The sample size for this study was 500. The questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection.Data were analyzed using frequencies, statistical means and z-test statistics.Findings from the study revealed that majority of the respondents engaged in information searching and the usage of social media on the Internet. It was revealed that the respondents spent 30 minutes to I hour on the Internet in a day.It was also found that the respondents exhibited high level of Internet addiction and that there was no significant difference between male and female undergraduates with regard to Internet addiction. The study concluded that undergraduates in universities in Delta State are addicted to the Internet. The study recommended among others that orientation, workshop and seminar should be organized by the universities for their students on the proper use of the Internet and that there is also the need to screen them for Internet addiction and depression with a view to isolating those who are addicted and depressed so that relevant psychological interventions can be put in place to help prevent them from excessive use of the Internet.