Internet Use Research Articles

Determining Elementary Teachers’ Competencies Using Practical Content Development Technologies

In education, as in all areas of our lives, the rapid development of computers and the Internet has brought about radical changes. The variety and use of technology in the educational environment is becoming increasingly widespread. A qualified teacher should have a personality that is in a state of constant renewal and development, which is directly proportional to the development of science and technology. Therefore, it is valuable for elementary teachers to become digitally literate and to know how to use this technology in teaching. The aim of this study was to investigate the competence of elementary teachers in the use of practical technologies for content development. This study is descriptive in the general survey type. The "Personal Information Form" and the "Competence Scale for Using Practical Content Development Technologies" were used to collect the research data. According to the results of the research, elementary teachers’ competence in the use of practical content development technologies was very low. It was found that the competences of the teachers with a good level of Internet use were higher than those of the teachers with a poor level of Internet use.

Comunicação pública nos municípios brasileiros: canais, serviços e atendimento ao cidadão

How does the municipal public administration communicate to citizens in Brazil? Based on this research question, this study overviews remote communicational services from the city halls in the 5,570 Brazilian municipalities following data from the Municipal Basic Information Survey in 2019 and other investigations about the use of internet in the country. Its establishes a dialogue between public communication and the municipality. This study localizes gaps the public administration must address in its interface with the population.

Does ICT adoption influence the bank’s risk-taking behavior? Evidence from advanced, developing and emerging nations

PurposeThis is the first attempt to investigate the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on the risk-taking behavior of banks.Design/methodology/approachThis study considers 74 advanced, developing and emerging countries in the period of 2010–2021. The study considers internet use, mobile subscriptions, broadband access and ATM availability as ICT indicators, while using bank Z_score as a proxy for risk-taking. To get comprehensive insights, pooled OLS, fixed effect models and generalized methods of moments (GMM) are applied.FindingsIt is found that ICT has a consistently positive influence on the risk-taking behavior of banks in advanced, developing and emerging countries. Notably, internet users and broadband access have a bigger impact in advanced economies, but mobile cellular subscriptions and ATMs are more significant in developing and emerging countries. Other factors, such as GDP growth and market capitalization, positively influence the bank’s risk-taking approaches, but the cost-to-income ratio and inflation have an inverse connection.Practical implicationsThis will provide useful advice to the government, bank executives, financial regulators, policymakers, regulators, academicians, technology developers and other relevant stakeholders who want to maximize the advantages of ICT in the banking sector while reducing related risks.Originality/valueThis is the first study to examine the impact of ICT on banks’ risk-taking approaches in advanced, developing and emerging countries.

The Use of Information and Communication Technologies Among Generation X in Serbia: A Comparison Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

The aim of this paper is to examine the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) among Generation X in the years before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic brought significant changes in digital technology usage and accelerated shifts in work, communication, and societal functioning. Generation X, comprising individuals born between the 1960s and 1980s, grew up during a time when digital technologies and the internet were not as prevalent. Given that they now live and work in a digital era, it is crucial to understand how they adapt to the rapid changes driven by digitalization. For this research, microdata from the study "The Usage of Information and Communication Technology by Individuals/Households in the Republic of Serbia" was analyzed for the years 2019 and 2023. Results show a slight increase in internet and computer use, particularly among younger members of Generation X. Additionally, 2023 saw a noticeable rise in online shopping and the use of communication services that gained popularity during the lockdown. Regarding public administration services, respondents in 2023 primarily accessed services related to the pandemic, such as vaccine information and green certificates. However, a significant number of respondents, 49%, did not use public services in either 2019 or 2023, suggesting potential issues with trust or perceived complexity. The main contribution of this paper is a detailed analysis of this group's behavior before and after the pandemic, focusing on ICT use and responses to changes triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Examining bias perpetuation in academic search engines: An algorithm audit of Google and Semantic Scholar

Researchers rely on academic Web search engines to find scientific sources, but search engine mechanisms may selectively present content that aligns with biases embedded in queries. This study examines whether confirmation biased queries prompted into Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar will yield results aligned with a query’s bias. Six queries (topics across health and technology domains such as ‘vaccines’, ‘Internet use’) were analyzed for disparities in search results. We confirm that biased queries (targeting ‘benefits’ or ‘risks’) affect search results in line with bias, with technology-related queries displaying more significant disparities. Overall, Semantic Scholar exhibited fewer disparities than Google Scholar. Topics rated as more polarizing did not consistently show more disparate results. Academic search results that perpetuate confirmation bias have strong implications for both researchers and citizens searching for evidence. More research is needed to explore how scientific inquiry and academic search engines interact.

Inequalities in internet use among older people between 2004 and 2021

Although research already examined sociodemographic profiles of older internet (non-)users, it is unknown how combinations of sociodemographic factors relate to internet (non-)use. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the cumulative impact of sociodemographic characteristics on internet (non-)use among people aged 60 and older between 2004 and 2021, using representative survey data derived from the Belgian Ageing Studies (n = 61 376). Logistic regression analyses consistently associated low education, age 80 or older, low income and female gender with higher probabilities of being internet non-user between 2004 an 2021. CHAID analysis revealed that education and age are the strongest predictors of non-use. The cumulative impact of sociodemographic factors enables to reveal subgroups where prevalence rates of non-use are almost three times higher than the prevalence reported in the population of older people in general. The result that 80.1 percent of individuals aged 80 and above with limited education did not use the internet underscores the need for a comprehensive digital inclusion approach, including strategies to overcome economic barriers to internet access and tailored internet training initiatives addressing digital skills and motivation. CHAID results help policymakers and internet training providers identify subgroups with high prevalence rates of non-users and target interventions to those at a high risk of digital exclusion.

Suicide-related internet use of mental health patients: what clinicians know.

Suicide-related internet use (SRIU), defined as internet use related to one's own feelings of suicide, can be both a risk and protective factor, especially for isolated individuals. Despite its influence on suicidality, clinicians face challenges in assessing SRIU because of the private nature of internet usage. Current recommendations on enquiring about SRIU in a clinical setting concern mostly young people. To address the gap in understanding SRIU among patients of all ages, this study aims to explore mental health clinicians' experiences, attitudes and beliefs regarding enquiring about SRIU, as well as the risks and benefits it presents in the assessment and management of patients. Finally, the study aims to establish the role SRIU potentially plays in the assessment and management of patients. Twelve clinicians practising at secondary mental health services in England participated in interviews. Thematic analyses were used for data interpretation. Clinicians who participated in interviews rarely initiate discussions on SRIU with their patients despite considering this an important factor in suicidality. Age of both patients and clinicians has the potential to influence enquiry into SRIU. Clinicians recognise the potential benefits of patients finding supportive online communities but also express concerns about harmful and low-quality online content related to suicide. Integrating SRIU enquiry into standard clinical practice, regardless of the patient's age, is an important step towards comprehensive patient care. Broader training for clinicians on enquiring about online behaviours is essential to mitigate potential risks and harness the benefits of SRIU in mental health patients.

Adolescents smartphone screen time and its association with caries symptoms experience from the Korea youth risk behavior web-based survey 2020–2021

Adolescence is a time when important changes occur in behavioral development, and previous studies have confirmed the relationship between excessive Internet use and decreased oral health behavior. Our purpose is to identify the indirect effects and behavioral factors of smartphone screen time on the caries symptom experience of adolescents. Using data from the 16–17th Korea youth risk behavior web based survey (2020–2021), we investigated the smartphone screen time of 109,796 students in middle school 1st to high school 3rd. Adolescents who used smartphones more than 6 h per week were 28% more likely to experience caries symptoms than those who used smartphones less than 2 h (odds ratio = 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.22–1.35). Those who consumed cariogenic drinks more than once a day were 25% more likely to experience caries symptoms, and those who brushed their teeth less than once a day were 26% more likely to experience caries symptoms (odds ratio = 1.25, 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–1.46, 1.06–1.51). Excessive smartphone screen time is associated with addictive eating habits and reduced physical activity that increase cariogenic dietary behaviors, and decrease oral health behaviors. It suggests that excessive smartphone use indirectly related to the experience of caries symptoms.

Building Sustainable Societies: The Role of Technology in Empowering Momtrepreneurs of Children with Special Needs

This study investigates the technology usage patterns among mothers of children with special needs, focusing on their proficiency, frequency, and purposes of computer and internet use. The aim of this study is to reveal the level of technology use of mothers with disabled children and the difficulties they experience in this regard. In addition, this study is expected to reveal the level of knowledge that mothers have about both the use of technological devices and their applications and to guide projects and development programs to be carried out for mothers. Utilizing a qualitative research methodology, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 16 mothers whose children attend Famagusta Special Education and Job Training School. The findings reveal that while a significant portion of the participants are beginners or lack confidence in using computers, 87.5 percent of the respondents utilize the internet regularly, primarily for accessing information related to their children’s disabilities and for entertainment purposes. Despite some mothers having received formal training in computer usage, the majority indicated a need for further education to enhance their technological skills. This study underscores the necessity of tailored programs to support these mothers in effectively leveraging technology for their personal and familial needs, contributing to broader discussions on gender equality and empowerment within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Internet use and household financial market participation: evidence from China

ABSTRACT This paper examines the effect of internet use on household financial market participation and its underlying mechanism. Using data from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), we find that households with internet use are 4.7% more likely to participate in financial market investments than those without. The finding remains robust after accounting for endogeneity concerns using the instrumental variables approach and a fresh double machine learning approach. We highlight the phenomenon of ‘digital divide’ that the positive effects of internet use on making financial investments are more substantial among families living in economically developed regions, and families with higher income and education levels than their counterparts. We identify three novel mechanisms through which internet use affects household investment decision-making, namely the internet information mechanism, the internet social mechanism, and the internet enabling mechanism. These findings suggest that expanding digital infrastructure building and increasing the number of internet users are important ways to enhance households’ participation in financial markets.

Kontribusi Social Support terhadap Problematic Internet Use pada Mahasiswa Universitas Negeri Padang

The development of information and communication technology, particularly the internet, has significantly benefited Indonesian society, with internet users reaching 95% by 2024. Although the internet facilitates communication and access to information, excessive use can lead to mental health issues, especially among students, with 15% experiencing problematic internet use. Students often rely on the internet for social interaction and emotional management, which can increase the risk of addiction. This study aims to investigate the contribution of social support to problematic internet use among students at Universitas Negeri Padang. The research adopts a quantitative approach with statistical analysis. The population measured in this study consists of students at Universitas Negeri Padang. The sample was taken using a proportionate stratified random sampling technique, appropriate for populations with non-homogeneous and stratified members. A total of 395 students participated in the study. The instruments used were the GPIUS2 scale and the MSPSS scale, developed using the Likert model. The data obtained were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The results show a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.220, indicating that the social support variable contributes 22% to the problematic internet use variable.

Penggunaan Internet dan Peluang Berwirausaha di Indonesia

Currently, the internet has become a necessity in social and economic life that provides convenience in communication and social interaction. In addition, the presence of the internet supported by advances in digital technology is expected to provide business opportunities. Internet access has become easier with the increasing use of mobile phones/handphones. This study aims to see the effect of internet use on entrepreneurial opportunities in Indonesia through descriptive analysis methods and binary logistic regression. This research uses data from the 2019 National Socio-Economic Survey. Entrepreneurs in this study are limited to individuals who try to be assisted by permanent workers or paid workers in the age range of 25 to 44 years. Of the 348,735 samples that were the analysis units, 7,108 were entrepreneurs or around 2.04 percent. This study found that individuals who use the internet have a higher chance of becoming entrepreneurs than individuals who do not use the internet and this finding is statistically significant. In addition, the level of education significantly influences individuals to become entrepreneurs, but individuals with higher education have a lower tendency to become entrepreneurs than those with high school education or below. Keywords: Internet, Binary Logistic Regression, Entrepreneurship

Aspects of Internet Use among Adolescents in Saudi Arabia

Background: In Saudi Arabia, there is a growing concern about Internet use among adolescents, who make up a significant portion (≈ 15%) of the population. Method: We administered a survey to students (Grades 7-12, n =2321) in randomly selected middle and high schools in three cities of Saudi Arabia in the spring of 2020 prior to COVID-19. We inquired about their demographics, lifestyle factors, devices, motivation for Internet use, and their family members’ use. Results: The mean (± SD) age of starting to use the Internet was 10.45 ± 3.02. Smartphones were the most used device (86.0%), followed by computers (6.3%), tablets (5.2%), game consoles (4.5%), and smart TVs (1.9%). The primary motivations for Internet use were social media (64.9%), watching videos (19.6%), gaming (6.2%), and other (studying, communication, etc.) (9.3%). Participants mostly described their parents’ Internet use as moderate and their siblings’ use as heavy. About a third (32.2%) of participants' parents did not supervise or place restrictions on their children's Internet use, a quarter (27.8%) of the parents only supervised their Internet use, a quarter (23.3%) placed restrictions only, and 16.7% engaged in both supervision and restriction. Conclusion: Adolescents report that their own Internet use via smartphones is high, and a high proportion of family members are heavy Internet users.

Did internet usage reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of middle-aged and older adults? A difference-in-differences study based on CFPS data

IntroductionMental health is the cornerstone of public health, especially where middle-aged and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic were concerned. The impact of Internet usage on mental health in the time of the crisis still presents a mixed picture.MethodsThis study employs the PSM-DID method according to longitudinal data (CFPS) to explore whether Internet usage reduced the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of middle-aged and older adults.ResultsThe results reveal that Internet use improves the mental health of middle-aged and older adults during the pandemic in China, but that the impact varies between urban and rural residents. Furthermore, the moderator effects model shows that people’s perceptions of the Internet have an impact upon the length of time spent online and its consequent effect on mental health.DiscussionThese findings suggested that Internet use had a significant effect on alleviating the levels of depression in middle-aged and older adults. Greater marginal gains may be realized by enhancing the digital capacity of and narrowing the digital divide that exists among rural residents. The enhancement of digital capacity and proper guidance in digital education should be taken into consideration where the mental health of middle-aged and older adults is at issue.

IoT—A Promising Solution to Energy Management in Smart Buildings: A Systematic Review, Applications, Barriers, and Future Scope

The use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology is crucial for improving energy efficiency in smart buildings, which could minimize global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. IoT applications use numerous sensors to integrate diverse building systems, facilitating intelligent operations, real-time monitoring, and data-informed decision-making. This critical analysis of the features and adoption frameworks of IoT in smart buildings carefully investigates various applications that enhance energy management, operational efficiency, and occupant comfort. Research indicates that IoT technology may decrease energy consumption by as much as 30% and operating expenses by 20%. This paper provides a comprehensive review of significant obstacles to the use of IoT in smart buildings, including substantial initial expenditures (averaging 15% of project budgets), data security issues, and the complexity of system integration. Recommendations are offered to tackle these difficulties, emphasizing the need for established processes and improved coordination across stakeholders. The insights provided seek to influence future research initiatives and direct the academic community in construction engineering and management about the appropriate use of IoT technology in smart buildings. This study is a significant resource for academics and practitioners aiming to enhance the development and implementation of IoT solutions in the construction sector.

Peer pressure Influences Adolescents’ Internet Addiction

The focus of the study is on peer pressure, which is an important factor in adolescent development and how it interacts with Internet use and dependence. Adolescents’ growing reliance on the Internet has led to peer pressure not only through traditional social interactions but also over extensive digital networks, resulting in psychological health problems and patterns of excessive online participation. This study gives measures to prevent Internet addiction and reduce free influence by identifying different types of free stress and influence on Internet usage. Finally, the study describes the relationship between Internet dependency and peer pressure among teenagers, so that we can better provide parents, educators, and policymakers with the necessary knowledge and tools that can support adolescents in managing their online interactions and maintaining a healthy balance between their digital and real-life experiences.

Online compulsive buying behavior and its association with internet addiction, self-esteem, impulsiveness, and emotional distress among nursing students

ABSTRACT Background: Compulsive buying behavior [CBB] or pathological buying (PB) is a psychiatric disorder of growing recognition and many psychosocial factors have been proposed to predispose or precipitate this predicament. Aim: To find out the association of compulsive buying behavior, emotional distress, self-esteem, internet addiction, and impulsiveness among nursing students. Materials and Methods: A web-based cross-sectional, online survey was conducted among nursing undergraduates to assess the association of compulsive buying behavior, emotional distress, self-esteem, internet addiction, and impulsiveness using total enumerative sampling from February 2024 to April 2024. Data were collected using self-administered PBS, IAT, Rosenberg self-esteem scale, BIS-Brief, and DASS-21 scales. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Frequency distribution, Bivariate correlation, and Multiple regression analysis were also used. Results: There were 410 participants with valid responses, and 207 [50.5%] fell into the category of pathological buying. The participant group “with pathological buying” was comparable with the group “not having pathological buying” in terms of sociodemographic statistics, preferred modality of purchasing stuff, and the “duration of daily internet use”. However, the DASS-21 and IAT scores were significantly higher among the participants “with pathological buying”. On regression analysis, both DASS and IAT scores were predicting the PBS scores. Conclusion: There is a significant association between pathological buying with internet addiction and psychological distress, but not with self-esteem, and impulsivity.

How Mattering and Anti‐Mattering Experiences Across Offline and Online Environments Contribute to People's Digital Life Balance and Social Media Addiction

ABSTRACTIn today's world, internet use has been evaluated as a factor that tremendously affects people's lives. More recently, evidence has been presented on the role that social‐level factors play in determining the dysfunctional use of new technologies, such as the need for social recognition. This study examines the concept of ‘mattering’ and its counterpart ‘anti‐mattering’ to understand how offline and online social experiences, along with need satisfaction, influence digital life balance and social media addiction. Three hundred participants (78.3% women; Mage = 24.92 years, SD = 7.49) participated in the data collection. This cross‐sectional explorative study revealed that people Satisfied Online (i.e., subjects who satisfy their need to be important only online) are more likely to develop social media addiction and an imbalance between offline and online life than those who are Fully Satisfied, Fully Unsatisfied, and Satisfied Offline based on correlation and ANOVA analyses. In conclusion, the results of this study support the idea that the human need for social connection and social recognition are critical in shaping our relationship with emerging communication technologies, both toward functional and dysfunctional use.

Evolution of online health-related information seeking in France from 2010 to 2023

Abstract Background Given the rapid ongoing progression of the internet and increase in health information available online since 2010, it is important to understand how these changes impact online health information-seeking behaviour of the population and the way of managing one’s health. This study aims to describe the evolution of the use of internet to seek health-related information as well as the characteristics of online health information seekers. Methods We used data from the French nationally representative surveys Health Barometers. It is a cross-sectional repeated survey of random representative samples of the French population conducted by the French national public health agency since 1992 using computer-assisted telephone interviewing. It serves to measure the evolution of key indicators regarding health-related behaviors, attitudes, and opinions in the general population and includes individuals aged 18-75 years old selected through randomly generated phone numbers. In the 2010, 2014, 2017 and 2023 editions, the same question was asked about the internet use as a source of health information. Evolutions over time were assessed using chi-square tests. Associations with sociodemographic characteristics and health status were evaluated using logistic regression models. Results Although internet access increased steadily during this period, from 72.8% in 2010 to 95.2% in 2023, the use of the internet as a source of health information rose between 2010 and 2014 (from 37.3% to 67.9%), decreased significantly in 2017 (60.3%) and rose again in 2023 at 65.3 %. The study describes the characteristics of the online health information-seekers trough time. Conclusions The past decade was marked by a breakthrough of the use of internet in the general population and the use of internet to seek health information. The analysis of the digital health information-seekers serves the public health authorities in their mission to provide accessible information on public health. Key messages • This study aims to describe the evolution of Online Health-Related Information Seeking in France from 2010 to 2023 and the characteristics of digital health information-seekers. • The analysis of the digital health information-seekers serves the public health authorities in their mission to provide accessible information on public health.

Lifestyle factors associated with episodic memory in middle-aged and older adults: evidence from a 9-year longitudinal study

BackgroundEpisodic memory naturally deteriorates with age, and its deficits are widely recognized as the most significant feature and the most sensitive indicator of cognitive decline. It has been suggested that adopting a healthy lifestyle can play a protective role in preserving episodic memory. This study aimed to systematically examine the relationship between lifestyle factors (social activities, leisure activities, physical activities, internet use, smoking, alcohol drinking, and sleep quality) and episodic memory in middle-aged and older adults.MethodsThe current study included 10,392 participants from the Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey. A linear mixed model was used to explore the associations between lifestyle factors and episodic memory performance and the age- and sex-specific effects of the association.ResultsLow-frequency alcohol drinking, higher engagement in social, leisure, and physical activities, increased internet use, and improved sleep quality were associated with better episodic memory performance in middle-aged and older adults. Stratified analyses demonstrated that internet use significantly correlated with episodic memory performance in middle-aged adults but not in older adults. On the other hand, sleep quality showed a significant association with episodic memory performance in women but not in men.ConclusionsThis study highlights the association between various lifestyle factors and episodic memory performance, with variations observed based on age and sex. Adopting healthy lifestyle factors can have positive effects on episodic memory in middle-aged adults, emphasizing the importance of adhering to healthy lifestyles from middle age onwards to counteract episodic memory decline.