The Impact of Using Internet on the Behavior of the Students Enrolled at The University of Jordan

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the impact of using internet on BA students at The University of Jordan in the behavioral areas. It also aimed to identify the impact of using internet on students in terms of social and family relationships. In addition, it aimed to explore the psychological and social impacts of using internet on students. The researcher adopted the social survey-based approach and chose a random sample. The sample of the study consisted of fifty (50) female and male students who were enrolled at The University of Jordan. The researcher designed a survey to meet the goal of the study. The survey consists of sixteen (16) items, and it targets two areas, which are: the impact of using internet on the social areas, and the impact of using internet on the psychological areas. Some of the results shed light on the impact of using internet on university students in social aspects. Based on the latter results, the highest value belongs to the item suggesting that internet is used by the respondents as a means to run away from the problems and get rid of stress.  They show negligence in doing family chores  in order to use internet, as they spend more time talking to friends and relatives through internet more than talking to them face to face. Some of the results shed light on the impact of using internet on university students in psychological aspects. Based on the latter results, internet is a means for running away from problems and getting rid of stress. The respondents feel self-confident when using internet and communicating with others; however,  they face sleep-related problems due to using internet, and feel less energetic when they don't use the  internet.  The results showed that most of the respondents use internet for a duration that is less than two hours, and  most of them are males, and that the least percentage of respondents use internet for a duration that falls under the category: (four hours - less than 6 hours). Most of those respondents are females. Thirteen students use internet for six hours or more, and most of them are males. The results shed  light on the relationships between academic programs and opinions about using internet, where the most positive results are shown by the fourth year students, while the most negative ones  are shown by the first year students. The researcher offered a set of recommendations