An examination of the patterns of access and use of the internet by youth: the case of Dar es Salaam region

Abstract

This paper reports the results of the study which investigated the patterns of access and the use of the Internet by youth in Dar es Salaam Region. The objectives of this study were to investigate categories of youth [by age, gender, employment status and level of education] who use the Internet Café services; to find out the type of information accessed and how it is used; to gather opinions of youth and Internet Café administrators on potential impact of the Internet on people and to recommend ways for promoting positive use of the Internet especially by youth. Data were collected from 15 Internet Cafés which involved 77 respondents composed of Internet café users, Internet administrators and Internet café owners. Self administered questionnaires, focused group discussions and participant observation methods were used to collect data. The study revealed a high dominance of young educated Tanzanians on the use of the Internet Cafés where males outnumbered females. The study also revealed that the Internet is mainly used as a communication and entertainment tool; the use of Internet for business and e-commerce is very insignificant. The strengths of the Internet were stated as easy, cheap and quick means of communication, easy access to academic materials via online libraries and promotion of business through the web. On the other hand the study revealed that the Internet offers direct exposure to pornography, criminal networks and prostitution sites and that it leads to Internet addiction. The findings of the study revealed that the low use of the Internet for business, education and e-commerce can be improved through development of human resource. ICT infrastructure should be developed in different socio-economic sectors and that Kiswahili should be used in designing local websites so as to enable those with limitations to the English language to use the Internet. Lastly, there must be a clear national policy to guide the development of Internet industry in Tanzania.


University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal Vol.6(1) 2004: 29-43