EXCEL International Journal of Multidisciplinary Management Studies
Year : 2013, Volume : 3, Issue : 7
First page : ( 118) Last page : ( 128)
Online ISSN : 2249-8834.

Prevalence of digital addiction and use of digital devices by students

Thenu C.T., Assistant Professor, Keerthi Sanjana, Third Year Student

Department of Psychology, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science And Higher Education For Women, Coimbatore

Online published on 4 September, 2013.

Abstract

The youth are currently considered to be India's greatest resource, but a large percentage of them are unemployable and majority of them seem distracted by digital entertainment which may hinder their motivation to acquire new skills that will enhance their chances of employability. The government of Tamil Nadu has been providing free devices, such as the television and laptops for students, so that even the underprivelaged are prone to distraction. The study on “Prevalence of Digital Addiction and Use of Digital Devices by Students” was conducted in parts of Tamil Nadu (Coimbatore, Chennai and Vellore) where 275 male and 386 female samples were studied. A questionnaire designed by the investigators was used to provide information on various aspects pertaining to the relation between individuals and their use of digital devices (cell phone, television, computer and video games).

The percentage of the sample in accordance with the various aspects of the study was calculated. Any significant relationship between variables was also analysed. Majority of the student youth find themselves addicted to their television sets followed by their cell phones and finally the computer and video games. Majority of the student youth have joined social networking because of their friends, hence peer pressure seems to play a role in social networking rather than their personal interest.Male student youth are given access to cell phones at a younger age than female students.Of all the behavioural changes that the youth have claimed to experience, health comes first with over half the student population experiencing a decline in health that correlates with the hours they spend in front of the television.There is a negative correlation between age and video gaming.There is a negative correlation between age and cell phone use.

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