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Internet Use and Its Impact on Engagement in Leisure Activities in China

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  • Ronggang Zhou
  • Patrick S W Fong
  • Peking Tan

Abstract

Introduction: Internet use has become an increasingly common leisure time activity among Chinese citizens. The association between Internet use and engagement in leisure activities is especially unclear among China population. This study aims to investigate Internet usage and to determine whether active Internet use is a marker for low or high levels of leisure time activities. Methods/Principal Findings: With the use of a face-to-face structured questionnaire interview, a total of 2,400 respondents who met all screening requirements were surveyed to answer the questions in eight major cities in China. 66.2% (n = 1,589) of all respondents were identified as Internet users. Of these Internet users, 30.0%, 24.1%, 26.4%, and 19.6% were clustered as “informative or instrumental users,” “entertainment users,” “communication users,” and “advanced users,” respectively. Regarding time spent on Internet use in leisure time, more than 96% reported going online in non-work situations, and 26.2% (n = 416) were classified as “heavy Internet users.” A logistic regression analysis revealed that there were significant differences in some leisure activities between non-Internet users and Internet users, with an observed one-unit increase in the leisure time dependence category increasing the probability of engaging in mental or social activities. In contrast, Internet users were less engaged in physical exercise-related activities. In addition, advanced Internet users were generally more active in leisure time activities than non-Internet users and other types of users. Conclusion/Significance: Internet use is one of very common leisure activities in Chinese citizens, and age, gender, income, and education are the key factors affecting Internet access. According to different types of leisure activities, Internet usage has different impacts on leisure activity engagement. High Internet dependence has no significant negative influence on engagement in mental or social leisure activities, but this group respondent tended to be less engaged in physical activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronggang Zhou & Patrick S W Fong & Peking Tan, 2014. "Internet Use and Its Impact on Engagement in Leisure Activities in China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(2), pages 1-11, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0089598
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089598
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andreja Brajša-Žganec & Marina Merkaš & Iva Šverko, 2011. "Quality of Life and Leisure Activities: How do Leisure Activities Contribute to Subjective Well-Being?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 102(1), pages 81-91, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ren, Yanjun & Li, Hui & Wang, Xiaobing, 2019. "Family income and nutrition-related health: Evidence from food consumption in China," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 58-76.
    2. Patrícia Silva & Alice Delerue Matos & Roberto Martinez-Pecino, 2017. "E-inclusion: Beyond individual socio-demographic characteristics," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(9), pages 1-10, September.
    3. Bin Guo & Xiaodong Zhang & Rui Zhang & Gong Chen, 2022. "The Association between Internet Use and Physical Exercise among Middle-Aged and Older Adults—Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Jiwu Wang & Xuewei Hu & Chengyu Tong, 2021. "Urban Community Sustainable Development Patterns under the Influence of COVID-19: A Case Study Based on the Non-Contact Interaction Perspective of Hangzhou City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-20, March.
    5. Chutima Jalayondeja & Wattana Jalayondeja & Keerin Mekhora & Petcharatana Bhuanantanondh & Asadang Dusadi-Isariyavong & Rujiret Upiriyasakul, 2017. "Break in Sedentary Behavior Reduces the Risk of Noncommunicable Diseases and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors among Workers in a Petroleum Company," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-9, May.
    6. Alimila Hayixibayi & Esben Strodl & Wei-Qing Chen & Adrian B Kelly, 2021. "School-based relationships and problematic internet use amongst Chinese students," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-13, March.

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