HABIT AND EXPERIENCES OF USING THE INTERNET BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH AN ACCENT UPON INTERNET VIOLENCE (EXPERIENCED AND COMMITTED)

Abstract

UDK 159.97-053.2:004.738.5

In this research we aimed at establishing general habits of using the internet by high school students as well as the degree of cyber violence presence in this specific population group. The research sample showed that internet is used for educational purposes by only 9% of the respondents, parents are not sufficiently involved in their children’s engagement on the internet and are not aware of the actual time their children spend with this media; almost two thirds of this group admitted using the internet as an escape from reality, more than 90% of these students feel the need to be engaged to internet longer than they have planned; a third of the total respondents do not manage to complete their tasks due to the internet and finally because of internet, the students experience and commit various forms of violence. The results of this research indicate that there is an urgent need for developing effective methods for suppressing and reacting to the phenomenon of internet violence and internet addiction and imply the necessity for evolving adequate preventive measures to promote healthy habits of internet usage. Of course such programs require interdisciplinary approach as well as inter-institutional cooperation. Consequently, the results of this research were presented at the round table wherein representatives of various institutions, associations as well as individuals directly or indirectly concerned with the issue, took part. This gathering also delivered some very useful conclusions that gave it a specific practical and multidisciplinary dimensions.