Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

INTERNET USE BEHAVIOR AMONG SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS’ STUDENTS: A 2017 SURVEY STUDY IN INDONESIA

F. Ekayanti, Risahmawati, B. Mardjikoen, M. Fadhilah and L.A. Hendarmin

Abstract

Internet use behavior has related to youth health problems such as addiction, mental, sexual, and physical problems or any other problems related with online material. In China, youth prevalence of internet addiction was 11% to 26.5%, while it was estimated 10.7% in South Korea. In European, adolescents’ risk for internet addiction was about 10.7% to 13.9%, and 4% in USA high school students. Indonesia has mentioned as the 2nd largest Facebook users. However, there was no research done to identify the internet use behavior among youth. This study aimed to identify the internet use behavior among adolescents and the comparison from gender, type of schools and provinces. Its design was cross-sectional with 2071 samples selected by multistage random sampling method. They were recruited from 40 high schools of 8 sub-districts in 3 provinces within June and December 2017. Thirteen questions were asked through self assessment questionnaire. Results indicated that 44% students used internet daily, with 56% of them used 1-6 hours a day. Accessed to internet mostly by handphone (85%) at home (74%). The most social media used were Facebook (52%), Instagram (25%) and Line (16%). About 40% students would feel anxious, discomfort, panic or upset when they can’t access internet. Twelve percent of students watched online pornography for several hours per day. Gender, type of schools and provinces comparison showed significant difference among most of the questions collected from the students. As a conclusion, internet use behavior is high among high schools’ students in Indonesia. About 40% needs attention. Further research to identify the internet addiction is needed for management intervention.