Maltese youth and information technology : ranging from necessity to addiction

Abstract

The following research project attempts to evaluate the relevance of information technology in the everyday life of local youth. Furthermore, it seeks to identify the prevailing attitudes, beliefs and functions exhibited by young persons, towards the computer and the Internet. The first chapter delves into relevant literature review, linking foreign and local research to youth and the latter needs chiefly education, communication, work and leisure. This chapter hints at the adolescents' necessity of knowing how to use information technology effectively, as well as tapping the negative consequences that may lead to computer addiction. Chapter two suggests why this research was undertaken and highlights the underlying objectives and research questions. It also describes the methodology with which data was collected from the local context and the procedure maintained in its analysis. The last chapter includes the findings and deductions extracted from the questionnaire and the focus groups employed in the data collection, focusing on two variables, namely age and gender. The findings are accompanied by a constructive criticism of the current research project, while providing sound recommendations. The last chapter is followed by a bibliography containing the relevant references. A sample of the questionnaire, the topic guide of the focus groups and a sample of one focus group transcript are enclosed in the Appendix.