Internet Use Research Articles

Post-retirement employment behavior and older people’s expenditure: New evidence from urban China

Abstract Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, this research investigates how post-retirement employment influences older people’s expenditure in urban China. By broadening the understanding of post-retirement employment behaviour from a consumer welfare perspective, this study expands the literature on retirement consumption and provides theoretical explanations, empirical insights and policy recommendations. The findings reveal that post-retirement employment behaviour reduces urban retirees’ household expenditure and has a more significant effect on men than on women, but this effect diminishes as consumption levels rise. Increasing income, promoting social participation and improving subjective health outcomes are all potential channels through which post-retirement employment can affect consumption. Further analysis shows two main reasons why post-retirement employment reduces older people’s expenditure: first, the increase in subjective health levels resulting from post-retirement employment reduces healthcare expenditure; second, post-retirement employment does not promote social participation and self-rated health for all consumption levels and all genders of retirees – it also decreases expenditure. Preliminary evidence suggests that internet use positively moderates the negative impact of post-retirement employment on older people’s expenditure. These findings provide policy implications for retirement policies and the promotion of the silver economy.

Create a Realistic IoT Dataset Using Conditional Generative Adversarial Network

The increased use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has led to greater threats to privacy and security. This has created a need for more effective cybersecurity applications. However, the effectiveness of these systems is often limited by the lack of comprehensive and balanced datasets. This research contributes to IoT security by tackling the challenges in dataset generation and providing a valuable resource for IoT security research. Our method involves creating a testbed, building the `Joint Dataset’, and developing an innovative tool. The tool consists of two modules: an Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) module, and a Generator module. The Generator module uses a Conditional Generative Adversarial Network (CGAN) to address data imbalance and generate high-quality synthetic data that accurately represent real-world network traffic. To showcase the effectiveness of the tool, the proportion of imbalance reduction in the generated dataset was computed and benchmarked to the BOT-IOT dataset. The results demonstrated the robustness of synthetic data generation in creating balanced datasets.

Leveraging TenSEAL

In our interconnected world, the use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices generates vast amounts of sensitive data. To secure this data while extracting insights, privacy-preserving machine learning (PPML) tools like Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) are crucial. This study compares two FHE schemes, BFV and CKKS, for protecting IoT data during PPML analysis. Logistic regression models are implemented on encrypted datasets using the TenSEAL library, and the accuracy and efficiency are compared with unencrypted data. The study focuses on privacy preservation, computational overhead, and model accuracy. Using the capabilities of TenSEAL, the study finds that both BFV and CKKS effectively preserve IoT data privacy during ML tasks. BFV demonstrates superior computational efficiency, enabling faster analysis and training, while CKKS achieves higher accuracy in predicting IoT data. This study aids researchers in selecting the most suitable homomorphic encryption scheme for their needs.

Price, Marketing Communications and E-commerce Services on Consumer Purchase Intention in Online Shopping

General Background: The rise of technology and internet use has significantly influenced shopping behaviors in Indonesia, particularly with the growth of online shopping. Specific Background: Factors such as price, marketing communication, and e-commerce services are essential in shaping consumer purchasing decisions in this digital space. Knowledge Gap: Limited research has examined the combined impact of these variables on online purchase intentions. Aims: This study investigates the effects of price, marketing communication, and e-commerce services on consumer purchasing intentions. Results: Using a quantitative approach with 96 respondents, the analysis reveals that all independent variables significantly influence consumer purchase intentions in online shopping. Novelty: This research integrates multiple influencing factors into a single study, emphasizing their collective impact. Implications: Findings indicate that e-commerce platforms should focus on competitive pricing, effective marketing strategies, and quality services to enhance consumer purchase intentions, contributing to a thriving online retail environment. Highlights: Significant Influence: Price, marketing communication, and e-commerce services collectively impact consumer purchasing decisions in online shopping. Research Gap: This study fills the void by examining the combined effects of multiple factors on purchase intentions. Strategic Implications: E-commerce platforms should prioritize competitive pricing and effective marketing strategies to boost consumer engagement and sales. Keywords: Price, Marketing Communication, E-Commerce Services, Consumer Purchase Intention, Online Shopping

Prevalence and predictors of internet use among Ghanaian older adults: evidence from the Ghana 2021 Population and Housing Census

Internet use among older adults has several beneficial impacts on their health and general wellbeing. However, there are limited studies on internet use among older adults in low- and middle-income countries, including Ghana. Also, studies on internet use among older adults have used surveys rather than census data, which minimises the potential for sampling bias and improves representativeness. Therefore, this study used census data to examine the prevalence and predictors of internet use among Ghanaian older adults. This study utilised the Ghana 2021 Population and Housing Census. The data were analysed using Pearson’s chi-square test and binary logistic regression. Overall, 52.9% of older adults used the internet 3 months preceding the census. Older adults mainly use mobile phones to access the internet. The significant predictors of internet use were age, sex, educational status, marital status, religious affiliation, place of residence, sight and hearing impairment, household wealth status, and ecological zone. Internet use among Ghanaian older adults was relatively high. Policymakers should consider these intrapersonal (age, sex, educational status, and sight and hearing impairments), interpersonal (marital status and household wealth), institutional (religious affiliation), and community (place of residence and ecological zone) level factors when developing interventions to promote internet use among older adults.

Categorical and resource inequalities in self-reliant internet use and use-by-proxy among older adults in Slovenia during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic had considerable impact on how older adults engaged online, with many using the internet for the first time or relying on family, friends, and peers to perform an activity online on their behalf, a form of internet use known as use-by-proxy. Since we lack large-scale research that compares what factors influence self-reliant internet use and use-by-proxy in older adults during the pandemic, this study seeks to fill this gap. Drawing on resources and appropriation theory, we examine how categorical (e.g., age, gender, education) and resource inequalities (e.g., social, material) shape internet use among older adults as well as the availability and activation of use-by-proxy among older internet non-users. We conducted three binary logistic regression models to analyze survey data collected in 2021 during the fourth wave of pandemic public health measures in Slovenia from a sample of 701 older adults aged 65+. The results show that personal and positional categorical disparities among older adults were significantly associated with their internet use during the pandemic, whereas bridging social capital was the only social resource positively associated with internet use. Conversely, categorical inequalities played a less important role in the availability of use-by-proxy than social resources. In fact, apart from occupation, bonding and bridging social capital were the only positive correlates of availability of proxy users among older internet non-users. Surprisingly, neither type of social capital was linked with the activation of use-by-proxy, which was only associated with two positional categorical disparities: marital status and residential area. Our findings suggest that addressing age-related digital inequalities after the pandemic requires a diversified approach that considers the heterogeneity of categorical and resource inequalities shaping older adults' self-reliant internet use and use-by-proxy.

Health-related Internet Use Among New Urology Clinic Patients

ObjectiveTo assess internet usage among new patients seen by urologists and impact on post-consultation understanding for four common conditions: kidney stones, elevated prostate specific antigen, male voiding, and female voiding. MethodsWe performed a prospective study of new urology patients at our diverse urban, academic urology practice for the above conditions over a 1-year period. A voluntary questionnaire assessed patients’ internet use related to referred conditions prior to encounters. Questions evaluated quality of information and patient understanding of symptoms/condition at baseline, after online searches, and after their urology visit. A patient-reported Likert scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent) was used and internet “searchers” were compared to “non-searchers.” Results215 patients participated. Most respondents were Latino (41%) or Black (35%) and English-speaking (81%). Cohorts comprised 130 searchers (60%) and 85 non-searchers (40%). Searchers were significantly younger (median 53 vs. 63 years, P<0.001), more likely to have home internet access (P<0.001), and more general medical internet use (P<0.001). Overall, patients’ understanding of visit diagnoses increased after their encounters (median pre-visit rating 5 vs. post-visit rating 10). Searchers reported a greater post-visit understanding compared to non-searchers (median rating 10 vs. 9, P<0.001), and a greater change in understanding from baseline (median +4 vs. +3, P=0.02). ConclusionInternet use is common amongst younger patients referred to urologists and may be associated with improved understanding of their condition after urologic consultation. Continued investigation of patient uses of and attitude towards popular online resources can help urologists curate resources to benefit patients and providers alike.

Extended Learning beyond Physical Schools in Rural Contexts in Uganda; a Case of Kyotera District

The period of Covid -19 pandemic unlocked many lessons and opened up the need to benchmark various interventions in the social setup, more so, the means to manage social services like education. Education is a right enshrined in article 26 (1) of the 1948 United Nations Human rights Declaration, and the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (1995), particularly articles 30, 34(2) and objective XVIII. Uganda’s Vision 2040 asserts that, the education curriculum, examination and instruction methods should always be revised to suit the proposed changes in the education system as well as being responsive to the global demands. The COVID-19 lockdown which took almost two years, introduced non-formal learning through use of internet, radios and televisions but these did not favor rural settings. In Uganda, 55.2 percent of households have radios, 7.2 percent own televisions while 19 percent can access internet with ease. Basing on participatory action design laid on the social learning framework the assumption is that data becomes information only when filtered through a theory of reality that common data is set on the policy environment, yielding diverse political strategies and holding distinct practical programs for implementation if interpreted through different value filters. This intriguing reality led us to visit 25 out of 30 Local Council (LC) one (1) Chairpersons in Kyotera and Kasaali Town Councils and found that each received one copy of learning materials which could be accessed through photocopying yet 10 percent of the beneficiaries could comply. To address the challenge and using these materials, we organized a total of 168 audio lessons for primary one to six; and senior one to three classes which we recorded and saved on memory sticks. We drew a timetable of three hours a day throughout a week and louder speakers were mounted in 11 most rural villages in Kyotera District to deliver lessons. Through interviews conducted on visit of at least one home from a village and from political leaders, testimonies showed that learning took place. Head teachers interviewed [4] also confirmed the same We concluded that through recorded audio lessons, content can well be delivered at any time. We recommend that; Governments, institutions, teachers and other facilitators, should adopt the model to extend learning to beyond classrooms with audio lessons for future use in learning and revisions. This can be through transmission of lessons on simple memory sticks and discs. Stakeholders at all levels of education should be encouraged to appreciate existence of pre- developed lessons and lectures which Amy not require internet connection by teachers -Government Organizations should use the model and fund extension of learning in rural villages in order to affirmatively have all learners supplement on learning obtained from classrooms

The impact of education as a proxy for lifestyle habits on reducing the association with dementia prevalence in the Southern Region of Brazil.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dementia among older adults from Florianópolis, in the Southern Region of Brazil. Data were originally drawn from the Epifloripa Aging Cohort Study, a representative and community-based survey designed to evaluate older people's health. This cross-sectional study was conducted in two phases: the community-screening phase, in which the Mini-Mental State Examination and a multifunctional scale were administered to older subjects and close informants, respectively; and the hospital-diagnosis phase, when the Cambridge Examination and the National Institute on Aging criteria were used. Adjustment for screening accuracy was made in order to estimate dementia prevalence. Of 1184 subjects evaluated in the community, 243 were screened for the diagnosis phase, in which 47 were identified with dementia, resulting in a crude prevalence of 4.5% (95% CI: 3.241-5.758) and an estimated prevalence of 9.2% (95% CI: 7.446-10.954). Dementia was associated with older ages, lower education levels, and the presence of stroke. Mild alcohol use (in comparison with no alcohol use), community-group practice, internet use and a higher level of physical activity, rather than education, decreased the odds ratio for dementia. Education was directly associated with these lifestyle habits. Prevalence was lower than that in previous studies in the country, and multivariate analysis reinforced the importance of lifestyle in preventing cognitive disorders in the older population.

S1096 Differences in Internet Use and Social Media Engagement May Impact Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Exploratory Survey Study

S1096 Differences in Internet Use and Social Media Engagement May Impact Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Exploratory Survey Study

Factors Influencing Household Debt Structure under Various Credit Constraints

Household debt is a critical component of family financial management, especially considering the prevalence of credit constraints. This study investigates the determinants of Chinese household debt structure, focusing on the choice between formal and informal borrowing and the proportion of formal debt under different credit constraints. Data from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) are analyzed using the bi-probit model. The results indicate that higher levels of household education and internet use significantly enhance the likelihood of accruing formal debt and weaken the tendency to engage in informal debt. This study innovatively employs the KZ index, traditionally used in corporate finance, to assess credit constraints at the household level. This new household credit constraint index demonstrates that the factors affecting the debt structure vary with the level of credit constraints, underscoring the complexity of household financial behaviors in China’s evolving credit landscape.

Exploring online health resources and self-care among irritable bowel syndrome patients: analyzing internet use and AI chatbot interactions.

The increasing prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Saudi Arabia has led to a growing interest in understanding how patients seek health information online. While it is known that digital platforms, such as search engines, social media, and artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, are commonly used for health information seeking, there is limited knowledge about the specific behaviors of IBS patients in this context and how these behaviors correlate with their self-care activities. This study aimed to explore online health information-seeking behavior and its correlation with self-care activities among patients with IBS in Saudi Arabia, focusing on the use of these digital platforms. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January to July 2023. The survey, available in both English and Arabic, targeted IBS patients aged 16 years or older. The questionnaire covered demographics, general internet usage, online health information-seeking behavior, and IBS knowledge and awareness. In this study, 451 IBS patients completed the survey. Notably, 95.1% of participants were internet users, primarily accessing health information through mobile phones and search engines. The results highlighted a significant correlation between online health information-seeking behaviors and self-care practices (P=0.009) like exercise and dietary adjustments, despite a moderate basic knowledge [standard deviation (SD) 2.26%] of IBS. Symptomatically, 93.3% experienced abdominal pain weekly, yet 63% did not fully meet the Rome criteria for IBS. Common management strategies included hydration, diet modifications, and exercise. About 28.4% visited the emergency room (ER) for severe symptoms, and 20% regularly consulted doctors every 3-6 months. Surprisingly, 80% were unaware of the FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet, often suggested for IBS. The research indicates a rise in digital health literacy among IBS patients in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the need for accurate and culturally appropriate online resources. It suggests that healthcare professionals and policymakers should direct patients to reliable information and address the digital divide to enhance self-care and IBS management outcomes.

Anime watching: is a new kind of addiction? Evaluation of psychopathologies and psychosocial factors associated with problematic anime watching among adolescents

BackgroundIn recent years, with the rapid development of technology, research on behavioral addiction concepts such as digital gaming disorders and problematic internet use has increased. As anime-watching has become widespread worldwide, it is thought that this behavior may be one of the areas of problematic technology use, especially in adolescence. However, studies evaluating problematic anime-watching behaviors within the framework of behavioral addictions are quite limited in the literature. In this study, problematic anime-watching behaviors, comorbid psychiatric disorders, and possible psychosocial factors were evaluated in 86 anime watchers aged between 12 and 18 years. Problematic anime-watching behaviors were evaluated according to the diagnostic criteria of other defined disorders related to addictive behaviors in ICD-11. A semi-structured interview tool was used to assess psychiatric comorbidities, and the IGDS9-SF adapted form for anime-watching, the Self-Efficacy Scale for Children, KIDCOPE, and the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents were used to collect other data.ResultsIt was determined that 36.8% of the 86 adolescents in our study had problematic anime-watching behavior. Compared to other adolescents, the problematic anime-watching group had significantly lower self-efficacy scores and significantly higher social anxiety and avoidant coping scores. A significant relationship was found between social anxiety disorder and watching problematic anime.ConclusionsThe present study showed that problematic watching of anime may be a variant of behavioral addiction. In conclusion, the relationship between problematic anime-watching behaviors and mental health warrants further examination.

Parents' attitudes and response to their child's pornography consumption in Australia: cross-sectional survey.

Background Parents play an important role in monitoring children's internet use, shaping their child's understanding of sex, and are key stakeholders in the development of sexual health education policies. Therefore, we investigated parents' awareness of and responses to children's pornography exposure. Methods We invited parents with children aged from 8 to 20years (n =1029) to complete an observational cross-sectional online survey about pornography and young people. Results A total of 48% of parents thought that young people view pornography rarely or never, and 21% agreed that watching pornography could be part of a healthy relationship for young people. Some parents (27%) were aware that their child had ever viewed pornography. Most parents (56%) acted on this by talking to their child, while others (10%) took no action, or restricted access to devices (6%). Discussing pornography was found to be strongly associated (P Conclusions These findings provide new insights for policy responses and can guide the development of tools to support parents to respond to their children's pornography exposure.

청소년의 부주의한 인터넷 이용 행태에 관한 연구

This study focuses on the lack of awareness and the careless behavior of adolescents when using the internet, despite the high possibility of being involved in crimes, such as the exposure of personal information. The study utilized secondary data from research conducted by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea and the Korean Council of Children's Organizations as part of the Child Rights Monitoring Project. It examined factors influencing careless behavior by categorizing them into adolescents' personal characteristics, behavioral characteristics related to internet use, and cognitive characteristics regarding cyberbullying. The analysis found that while the level of carelessness among adolescents on the internet was relatively low, repeated careless behavior could lead to desensitization, potentially resulting in greater negligence. Adolescents, in particular, can easily access a wide variety of content on the internet, and this repeated carelessness can diminish their perception of risk, eventually escalating to more serious risky behaviors. Therefore, a comprehensive approach that considers the characteristics and culture of adolescence, as well as the complexity and diversity of internet use, is continuously required. Related research is expected to be a crucial starting point for promoting healthy internet use among adolescents and, furthermore, for establishing a positive and safe internet culture.

The Internet as a source of medical knowledge for high school and medical students

Background: The Internet is becoming increasingly important in providing medical knowledge. Students facing such information-rich environment, may not pay adequate attention to appropriate use of information sources. Aim of the study:The study aimed to evaluate the use of Internet for obtaining medical information by high school students (HSS) and medical students (MS), especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.Material and methods:Two anonymous online surveys were distributed through social media among Polish HSS and MS. The questionnaires of 562 HSS and 332 MS, representing 12 medical universities, were analysed.Results:33,7% MS and 12,6% HSS use Internet to obtain medical knowledge several times a day. 63% of all students believe that the COVID-19 pandemic increased this frequency. To accomplish that, 76% MS and 61.6% HSS frequently use search engines. 61% MS and 30,4% HSS often use Wikipedia. News websites are often used by 58.7% HSS and 19,3% MS. Medical databases e.g. PubMed are usually used by 28% MS. Both MS and HSS rated the author's specialty overlapping with the issue as the most important factor affecting the reliability of medical information sources (4.14 and 5.51 points on a 0-5 scale, respectively). 62,4% MS believe medical studies have significantly changed their perception of the credibility of medical knowledge sources. 50% HSS and 42,5% MS, when encountering incorrect medical information, never take any action to clarify it. 87,4% MS and 70% HSS express the need for additional classes on COVID-19 in their school curriculum.Conclusions:The Internet is widely used by HSS and MS as a source of medical knowledge. It is important to emphasize the need to develop the ability to select reliable medical information among users of the virtual world. Students understand the need to evaluate the credibility of sources, however they often do not take any action when confronted with erroneous information.

The divide between us: internet access among people with and without disabilities in the post-pandemic era

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of internet access across various aspects of life, from remote work and online education to healthcare services and social connections. As we transition to a post-pandemic era, a pressing need arises to update our understanding of the multifaceted nature of internet access. This study is one of the first attempts to do so. Using survey data from New Zealand adult internet users (n = 960), it compares internet connection types, frequency of internet use at home, social media use, and concerns about online risk between people with and without disabilities. Results show people with disabilities have restricted fibre access and higher wireless broadband (a much slower connection type). People with disabilities use social media platforms less and are more concerned about certain online risks. The findings highlight persistent disparities in internet access for people with disabilities in the post-pandemic era. Implications of the study are discussed.

Levels of Social Participation among Silver-Age Citizens and Factors of its Activation in the Region of Russia (Case of the Sverdlovsk Region)

Introduction. The quality of life of silver-age people is associated not only with psychological, economic and physical well-being, but also with the peculiarities of interpersonal relations and the diversity of their social activity. The widespread ideology of active or “delayed aging” actualizes the study of the nature of inclusion of elderly citizens in various practices of social participation that fill their daily lives. The aim of the study is to reveal the level characteristics of social participation of citizens of silver age in the Sverdlovsk Oblast and the factors that determine them. Materials and Methods. The article analyses the data from the survey of residents of the Sverdlovsk Region over the age of 60, the sample is structured by gender, age, and place of residence of the respondents (type of settlement). The authors’ survey method was used to determine the nature and frequency, level and type of social participation of the Urals elderly, to identify factors that contribute to or impede activity in old age. Results. The study showed that socio-consumer participation characterized by activities “for oneself” and collective participation aimed at social integration “together with others” constitute the main content of social participation of the studied cohort. The participation of the elderly in the practices aimed at helping and caring (“for others”) is significantly lower, and a radical decrease in the activity of the elderly Urals residents is revealed when they switch to “civic participation”. It has been proved that the intensity of social participation of silver-age citizens living in cities is higher than in rural areas. The only exception is participation in civic activities. The same influence on the intensity of the different practices of social participation at all levels is exerted by the status of residence (independent or in a residential institution), the presence of close relatives and the frequency of Internet use. Discussion and Conclusion. The identification of the levels and factors of social participation of older citizens creates an evidence base on the processes of active aging in a typical Russian region. The results of the study demonstrate the relevance of focusing regional social policy on aging and the non-profit sector on increasing the social participation of people and groups of the “silver” age. The article may be of interest to regional authorities, social protection and service institutions, the regional non-profit sector, offering tools for the development and implementation of effective social aging policies aimed at implementing resources and supporting the social participation of the older generation.

EVALUASI KINERJA DAN EFISIENSI JARINGAN LORAWAN UNTUK APLIKASI IOT DI LINGKUNGAN SUBURBAN

The current era of digitalization is rapidly advancing, especially in the utilization of Internet of Things (IoT) technology for various purposes, including in the transportation and vehicle rental sectors. This research focuses on the application of the LoRaWAN network in supporting the electric scooter rental system in suburban environments, particularly in the Kintamani area. The designed system allows real-time monitoring of electric scooter locations through the integration of GPS modules, and also provides additional security features with an emergency button for urgent situations. The system is also equipped with rental time settings to maximize efficiency in managing electric scooter rentals. LoRaWAN was chosen for its ability to transmit data over long distances with low power consumption, which is highly suitable for suburban areas with wide coverage and limited infrastructure. This research not only evaluates the network's performance in terms of communication but also reviews the system's efficiency in terms of the number of devices that can be connected simultaneously. The evaluation focuses on how optimally this system can be used on a larger scale, especially in supporting the growing needs of IoT. This study provides insights into the potential development of a safer and more efficient IoT-based bike rental system in suburban environments.

Utilization of Internet of Things (IoT) for Biometrics Attendance and Web-Based Student Monitoring

SMPN 31 Tangerang aims to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of its student attendance system. The current problem is that the existing attendance system is easy to manipulate and lacks accuracy. This research aims to develop a biometric attendance system based on fingerprint technology to address these issues, with output presented in a web page format and without using paper. The methods used in this study include literature review, interviews, and observations for data collection. Development methods involve system design and the waterfall model. The developed attendance system utilizes IoT (Internet of Things) technology and electronic circuits to facilitate implementation and use. The research results show that the biometric fingerprint attendance system can improve student discipline. The system allows for attendance monitoring through a web interface, with data that can be backed up to Microsoft Excel. This device offers high accuracy, good attendance speed, and ease of use for students. In conclusion, the implementation of the biometric attendance system and web-based monitoring meets the school's needs for efficient and effective attendance management and monitoring.