The Association Between Age And Time Spent On Online Activity Among University Students

Abstract

Our daily lives have become increasingly reliant on technology and online activities. From communication and work to learning and entertainment, technology has made these activities more efficient. However, it is important to be aware of potential threats while browsing the internet and being involving in online activity and take necessary precautions to ensure safety during online activity. This paper aims to identify the relationship between age and time spent in online activity among university students. The respondents of this research were students from public university in Terengganu who were actively involved in online activities ranging from 18 to 24 years old. The questionnaires on digital identity, digital safety, and online behaviour were adopted from previous research, and links to Google Forms were given to students using the WhatsApp application. There were 184 questionnaires used for the analysis. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27. This research seeks to answer the objectives on the association between age and time spent online and frequency of engagement online. The research analysed individuals aged 18 to 30 years and above who were actively involved in online activities. The study found that the largest group of respondents was 18 to 20 years. Chi-square tests were conducted to examine the correlation between age and frequency of online engagement. Results showed that there was no significant relationship between age and the time spent online or the frequency of online engagement. Therefore, it cannot be generalised that age group plays a significant role in determining the respondents' online activity.