*Toktam Namayandeh Joorabchi, Md. Salleh Hj. Hassan & Mohd Nizam Osman
Abstract:
Internet usage has noticeably increased in importance in people's daily life. This study applied the Uses and Gratification theory framework to understand Internet usage among students. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between Internet usage and dimensions of Positive Youth Development (PYD). This study also looks at the mediating role of lnternet usage gratification in the relationship between Internet usage and dimensions of PYD. The respondents of the study were local undergraduate and postgraduate students studying at UPM. A questionnaire survey using simple random sampling was conducted and responses were analysed. Most students were found to use the Internet to search for information. To them, the Internet is the fastest way to gain knowledge, hence they have a positive attitude toward the Internet. A common Internet problem is slow connections. Gratification from using the Internet was finding information that was being searched. This study found a relationship between attitude toward Internet and gratification of Internet usage. In addition, attitude was found to have a significant and positive relationship with positive youth development. The relationship between gratification of Internet usage and the five dimensions of positive youth development (Character, Caring, Confidence, Competence and Connection) was positive and significant. The relationship between problems in Internet usage and positive youth development is significant.
Keywords: Attitudes towards Internet, gratification of Internet usage, Malaysia, Positive Youth Development (PYD), problems in using Internet