Internet Use and Its Impact on Secondary School Students in Chiang Mai, Thailand
INTERNET USE AND ITS IMPACT ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
Kesaraporn Wanajak BNS MSc (Pharmacology)
This thesis is presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science Edith Cowan University
June 2011
EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY
USE OF THESIS
This copy is the property of Edith Cowan University. However the literary rights of the author must also be respected. If any passage from this thesis is quoted or closely paraphrased in a paper or written work prepared by the user, the source of the passage must be acknowledged in the work. If the user desires to publish a paper or written work containing passages copied or closely paraphrased from this thesis, which passages would in total constitute an infringing copy for the purposes of the Copyright Act, he or she must first obtain the written permission of the author to do so.
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ABSTRACT
Internet addiction (IA) is a relatively new field of academic inquiry. Empirical studies suggest that IA, like other well researched addictive behaviours, has an effect on many aspects of a person‟s life, including academic/work performance, relationships, and physical and mental health (Goldberg, 1996; Young, 1996, 1998). Evidence of IA has been suggested by the findings that some Internet users spend increasingly longer periods of time online and experience withdrawal symptoms when offline. Those preoccupied with Internet-related activities may neglect exercise, family and social activities (Kim et al., 2010; Nalwa & Anand, 2003; Seo, Kang, & Yom, 2009; S. Yang & Tung, 2007; Young, 1998, 2004). Problems arising from excessive Internet use have been documented worldwide, including in Thailand where the use of the Internet has increased noticeably (National Statistical Office, 2008a, 2008b, 2010). It is a particularly common problem among students, as demonstrated in several international studies (Ko, Yen, Yen, Lin, &
Kesaraporn Wanajak BNS MSc (Pharmacology)
This thesis is presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science Edith Cowan University
June 2011
EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY
USE OF THESIS
This copy is the property of Edith Cowan University. However the literary rights of the author must also be respected. If any passage from this thesis is quoted or closely paraphrased in a paper or written work prepared by the user, the source of the passage must be acknowledged in the work. If the user desires to publish a paper or written work containing passages copied or closely paraphrased from this thesis, which passages would in total constitute an infringing copy for the purposes of the Copyright Act, he or she must first obtain the written permission of the author to do so.
ii
ABSTRACT
Internet addiction (IA) is a relatively new field of academic inquiry. Empirical studies suggest that IA, like other well researched addictive behaviours, has an effect on many aspects of a person‟s life, including academic/work performance, relationships, and physical and mental health (Goldberg, 1996; Young, 1996, 1998). Evidence of IA has been suggested by the findings that some Internet users spend increasingly longer periods of time online and experience withdrawal symptoms when offline. Those preoccupied with Internet-related activities may neglect exercise, family and social activities (Kim et al., 2010; Nalwa & Anand, 2003; Seo, Kang, & Yom, 2009; S. Yang & Tung, 2007; Young, 1998, 2004). Problems arising from excessive Internet use have been documented worldwide, including in Thailand where the use of the Internet has increased noticeably (National Statistical Office, 2008a, 2008b, 2010). It is a particularly common problem among students, as demonstrated in several international studies (Ko, Yen, Yen, Lin, &