Motives Relating to Internet Usage Among Korean Adolescents

Previous studies have shown that the Internet influences adolescents' development and their lives. Adolescents' Internet usage is simultaneously affected by variables such as demographics, personal characteristics and social interaction motives. The aim of this study is to determine what motives and gratifications influence Internet use. This study also includes a conceptual model derived from a uses-and-gratification perspective suggesting that people use the Internet to gratify their needs. Bivariate and multivariate analyses of data from the Korea Youth Panel Survey for 3,063 adolescents find that all categories considered for this study were relevant to Internet usage. Similarly, results support a theoretical approach that includes personal characteristics and social interaction motives when studying adolescents' levels of Internet use. Self-esteem, parental emotional support, attachment to friends, and the number of close friends are variables significantly related to Internet usage.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sociology (UMKC)

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Missouri--Kansas City

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Lee, YoonJung, 1982-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Smith, Deborah B.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10355/9346

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mospace.umsystem.edu:10355/9346