Effects of internet use within family relationships among secondary school students in Mueang, Maha Sarakham, Maha Sarakham province

Abstract

                   Internet use is a topic that has received a lot of attention today, in both positive and negative ways. The internet has played an increasingly important role in the lives of people. This study investigated the factors affecting internet usage in the family relationships of secondary school students in Muang district, Maha Sarakham province. A cross sectional study was used to collect 230 samples from students between August to December 2017 with the questionnaire (Cronbach's coefficients 0.89).  Data were analyzed with Descriptive Statistics, Chi-square, Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, and Factor analysis with Multiple Regression. The results revealed that  57.8% were male  ,  67.8%  were aged between 13-14 years, ,  34.8% were in primary school  , 70.4% lived with their parents,   85.7% used the internet at home , 73.5%  spent most of their free time on the Internet and 73.5% of the students themselves had an influence on internet usage.   The average use of the internet was about 3-7 hours a day (37.0 %) and about 8-12 hours a day (21.3%). The students had a moderate level of knowledge, behaviors, practice and the impact of internet use accounted for 49.1%, 63.8%, 60.9% and 86.1% respectively. The correlation between knowledge, behaviors, and the effect of internet usage was statistically significant at 0.05 (p-value = 0.003, 0.009 and 0.001 respectively). Factors that predicted family relationships of students were: 1) internet use for entertainment 2) students themselves had an influence on internet use decisions and 3) practical use of the internet. Therefore, stakeholders should cultivate a value-based framework and practice the right and proper use of the Internet to educate students about the advantages and disadvantages of using the Internet that may affect the health and well-being of students.