Gender differences on the influence of peer relations and behavioural pattern of internet usage on internet addiction among youths in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined the roles of gender on the influence of peer relations and behavioural pattern of web usage on internet addiction among youths in Osun State, Nigeria. Data was obtained from 629 youths comprising of 298 males and 331 female with ages ranges between 14 to 29 years (mean = 21.5years; Standard Deviation =1.02). Data were obtained  through administration of standardized questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 24. The result  showed that in both male and female participants, poor peer relations significantly predict subsequent Internet addiction among the participants. This result indicates that gender played some significant roles on the  influence of peer relations on Internet addiction. In addition, it was found that males and females exhibit different behavioral patterns of Internet usage. Males participants were found to use the Internet for gaming  activities compare to female who surf the internet more for social activities. Although, both males and females are more prone to surf the internet for pleasure and less likely to surf the Internet for information. These findings suggest that gender and peer-specific interventional strategies should be developed to reduce Internet addiction.

Keywords: Gender, Internet Addiction, peer relations, youths