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Internet Usage Among Undergraduate Students in Ghana: An Exploratory Study

Author

Listed:
  • Samuel Danso

    (Department of Communication Studies, Pentecost University)

  • Bernice Awudi

    (Department of Physics Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana)

  • Martin Thompson Kwadzo Ntem

    (Department of Media Studies, Ghana Institute of Journalism, Ghana)

  • Gyasi Appau Augustine

    (School of Nursing, Ghana Baptist University College, Ghana)

  • Emmanuel Larbi Ayete

    (Department of Mathematics, Presbyterian College of Education, Kibi, Ghana)

Abstract

The Internet has changed the face of technology, especially the way students interact with each other. This means that students have greater autonomy over time where communication is no longer limited to certain times. Widespread Internet availability can substantially benefit students by enhancing their access to a broader range of information, creating an avenue for social communication and conducting research. This study through a qualitative case study design critically examined Internet usage among undergraduate students of the University of Education, Winneba. The study also examined the consequences of students’ intensive use of the Internet. The study revealed that students use the Internet to satisfy certain gratifications. Themes such as academic research, entertainment, news sharing and socialisation were found as the motivation behind students’ use of the Internet. It was discovered that although the Internet help students positively in many ways, it also impacts on them negatively. Themes such as decline in academic performance, social isolation and financial constraints were identified as some of the consequences of students’ intensive use of the Internet. The study revealed that it is important to investigate the intensity of Internet addiction among university students. The study concluded that even though the Internet is important to students, they need to be cautious of its overuse in order not to be addicted.

Suggested Citation

  • Samuel Danso & Bernice Awudi & Martin Thompson Kwadzo Ntem & Gyasi Appau Augustine & Emmanuel Larbi Ayete, 2023. "Internet Usage Among Undergraduate Students in Ghana: An Exploratory Study," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(1), pages 1057-1070, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:7:y:2023:i:1:p:1057-1070
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daria J. Kuss & Mark D. Griffiths, 2011. "Online Social Networking and Addiction—A Review of the Psychological Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-25, August.
    2. Azizah Zainudin & Marina Md. Din & Marini Othman, 2013. "Impacts Due to Internet Addiction among Malaysian University Students," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 3(9), pages 1922-1928, September.
    3. Oliver Huxhold & Elena Hees & Noah J. Webster, 2020. "Towards bridging the grey digital divide: changes in internet access and its predictors from 2002 to 2014 in Germany," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 271-280, September.
    4. Azizah Zainudin & Marina Md. Din & Marini Othman, 2013. "Impacts Due to Internet Addiction among Malaysian University Students," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 3(9), pages 1922-1928.
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