INTERNET ADDICTION ON THE YOUTH OF SINGAPORE

INTERNET ADDICTION ON THE YOUTH OF SINGAPORE Tan Shing Liang, Matthias Goh, Lim Zi Yang

Contents • 1. Abstract • 2. Introduction • 3. Literature Review • 4. Methodology • 5. Results • 6. Discussion/Conclusion • 7. References

Abstract • Successfully indentify problems within Singaporean society • Rise of Internet addiction among youth • Administered surveys – Rationale • Interview experts – Rationale • Saw the need to come up with solutions to eradicate the problem

Introduction • What is Internet addiction? • Internet addiction is the state where the Internet user excessively and problematically uses the Internet • Induces many symptoms that are seen in many other types of addictions • Who are most vulnerable to Internet addiction? • Youth of today • “Digital natives” • Internet and technology becoming more integral in our lives

Introduction • Why is Internet addiction happening? • Internet more readily accessible • Improvements in cyber technology • Parents are clueless about child’s Internet usage • Objective of project • Provide platforms for parents to understand their children’s activities • Raise awareness • Provide feasible solutions to youth addicted to the Internet

Literature Review • 11 sources in total • Various media: • Textual sources • Pictorial/Video Sources • Primary Sources • Understand the problem globally and on the international level • Understand the problem in local context

Methodology • Survey • 50 surveys • Singaporean youth from 12 to 16 years of age • Get an idea of the seriousness of this matter by looking into Singapore youth • Understand the problem from another point of view

Methodology • Interview • Mr Poh Yeang Cherng, manager of PlanetCrush Cyber-wellness centre • Day-to-day problems of youth from an expert in this field • Peer-to-peer interaction • Through observation, establish certain trends among youth regarding this issue

Results • Survey results • Interview results • Peer-to-peer interaction results • Our deductions and analysis on the problem of Internet addiction among youth in Singapore

Survey Results and Analysis

Survey Questions Q1: How long do you spent in front of a computer weekly?

Survey Questions Q2: What do you normally do in front of your computer?

Survey Questions Q3: Have you ever stayed online for longer than you think?

Survey Questions Q4: Has anyone every complained about you spending too much time on the computer? 33 33

Survey Questions Q5: Do you feel restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet usage either by force or by will?

Survey Questions Q6: Do you think about your previous Internet usage while attending important activities (school, work, etc.)?

Survey Questions Q7: Do you constantly look forward to another Internet usage session while away from your computer/ unable to surf?

Survey Questions Q8: Have you ever chosen to stay online rather than to go out with friends?

Survey Questions Q9: Have you ever lost sleep due to usage of Internet?

Survey Questions Q10: Have you ever find yourself in front of the computer when you should be doing something important (Homework, assignments, projects etc.)?

Survey Questions Q11: Do you think you are addicted to the Internet?

Survey Questions Q12: Do you think Internet addiction is a problem that must be curbed?

Survey Questions Q13: Do you think Internet addiction is harmful? Why?

Survey Questions Q14: Do you know of anyone who excessively uses the Internet?

Survey Questions Q15: How do you think you can help anyone who is addicted to the Internet?

Interview Results and Analysis

Interview results • From our interview with Mr. Anthony Yeong, we found out about the important roles which parents can play to help their children get rid of their Internet addiction. Some of these include understanding the games which their children play, and spending more time on developing parent-child relationships.

Peer-To-Peer Interaction Analysis

Peer-to-peer interaction • Observations that we have took note of • Trends that can be established • Allowed us to have first hand experience of the matter at hand • Allowed us to validate what we have seen from the survey and interview

Discussion • 6 solutions that we came up with • Design a webpage that has all necessary information regarding internet addiction. Can also teach parents about blocks and monitoring software. • Distribute pamphlets which educate parents on the games which youths play today. Aid the communication between the children and the parents. • Arrange classes and counselling services for parents and children respectively. Raise the understanding of the problem at a public level through education.

Discussion • The internet addict’s parents should bring him or her to spend quality time in a place without electronic gadgets or connectivity so as to break the bonds of addiction. • A trained counsellor can be despatched to every school to assist in identifying problems with regards to internet addiction and also help to resolve these cases. • Publicity campaigns can be held through the mass media to raise the awareness of the public even further. This can be used as a means to introduce and promote the above five solutions and it will complement all other solutions.

Website solution

Conclusion • Internet addiction is a problem on the rise • This can be seen even among Singaporean youth • Many consequences and problems that arouse from internet addiction • The possible ways to curb internet addiction • The importance of doing as such

References • TOUCH Community Services. (2008). Cyber Wellness Handbook for Parents (1st ed.) [Handbook]. Singapore: • Jerome , Carter (2007, May 07). EzineArticles. Retrieved March 23, 2009, from Internet Computer Addiction Among Teens Web site: http://ezinearticles.com/?Internet-Computer-Addiction-Among-Teens&id=555511 • (2007, June 25). WikiAnswers. Retrieved March 23, 2009, from Computer Addiction Answers Web site: http://computeraddictionanswers.com/

References • John , M. Grohol, Psy.D. ( February 2, 1999). Psych Central . Retrieved April 16, 2009, from Psych Central - Internet addiction and Online addiction Web site: http://psychcentral.com/netaddiction/ • (2009). Wikipedia. Retrieved June13, 2009, from Internet addiction disorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_addiction_disorder • CBSNewsOnline, (2007). Wikipedia. Retrieved July 22, 2009, from Internet addiction disorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Web site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrlD3yh8bDE&feature=fvst

References • Youmasu, J. Siewe (2002). Fcs.Okstate.edu. Retrieved June 30, 2009, from Internet addiction Web site: http://fcs.okstate.edu/health/Internet_addiction.htm • (2009). WikiAnswers. Retrieved June 30, 2009, from WikiAnswers - What are the effects of being addicted to the internet or a game? Web site: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_effects_of_being_addicted_to_the_Internet_or_a_game

Thank You INTERNET ADDICTION ON THE YOUTH OF SINGAPORE Tan Shing Liang, Matthias Goh, Lim Zi Yang

INTERNET ADDICTION ON THE YOUTH OF SINGAPORE