Internet Addiction and dependency: A case study in UNITEN, Malaysia

Abstract

The Internet has become an inseparable part of our daily lives. However, problematical use of the Internet can lead to various types of mental and physical problems. Internet Addiction (IA) is a disorder which is caused by problematical Internet usage. This study aims to determine the situation of Internet Addiction in UNITEN, Malaysia by looking at the Internet usage patterns. How is the Internet Addiction situation in UNITEN, Malaysia? What are the profiles of the Malaysian Internet Users? The research employed a quantitative approach. Data collection was based on a web-based and paper-based survey of 700 college students in Malaysia. The questionnaire survey was developed based on Dr. K. Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire (IADQ). The respondents were then categorized into 3 levels of Internet Addiction: mild, moderate and severe Internet Addiction. A comparative analysis was performed on the situation in Malaysia in which data on the pattern and the usage of Internet was already available. The survey which was carried out with 700 respondents, produced a 3 percent spoiled result, and found that 31 percent of the respondents are mild addicts, 63 percent are moderate addicts and only 3 percent of the respondents are severe Internet Addicts. Further details which include the profiles of Malaysian Internet users and the revision over published knowledge based on Malaysia Internet Addiction are provided in detail. Physical and mental problems caused by Internet Addiction consequently make problems for the society. An awareness of the Internet usage pattern and the situation of Internet Addiction help to prevent and control the negative consequences of this modern disorder.