NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ADVANCED LEGAL STUDIES

PUBLIC INTEREST
LAWYERING
A SURVEY ON INTERNET ADDICTION
AMONGST THE PEOPLE

Anagha Lakshmi Raman(575)

Dande Hema Harika(588)
Dushyant Krishnan H. G.(601)
Neenu Pavithran(615)
Soumik Chakraborty(629)

VI Semester
NUALS
 CONTENTS
Serial No. Topic Pages

1 Introduction 4-5

2 Methodology Relied Upon 6-8

3 Methodology Adopted 9-12

4 Findings 13-15

5 Conclusion 16

6 Annexure 17-19

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Of all the obligations we are to essentially fulfill, the paramount one is to offer our
grateful thanks to our Professor of Public Interest Lawyering, Mr. Raveendra Kumar,
for assigning this valuable project with his pedagogic guidance of glittering insights.

We find it very difficult to respond adequately in terms of gratitude to the faculty of

NUALS, academicians at various rungs of authority in various educational
institutions, caretakers of libraries, our thoughtful colleagues and our parents who
gracefully extended unstinted cooperation and support with their catalyzing questions
and convincing reactions to enable us present this project in this current form.

We are indebted to all of them for hurling us into the new orbit of learning involving
cerebral exercises, logical analysis and coherent examination for successful
completion; let us state with the utmost humility at our command, of this challenging
project.

INTRODUCTION
Internet has changed our lives. It changed the way we work, the way we communicate
with each other, the way we learn etc. Today, internet impacts us in our everyday lives
and is an integral part thereof. It’s a great place to evolve, but when we get addicted
to internet, it becomes a serious matter with serious consequences.

Internet addiction:

When we rely on the internet, we work online, learn, communicate, buy, sell, do
research and find entertainment. The benefits are immense. The internet has become
an irreplaceable tool in our lives. In 2005 the first study about internet addiction was
conducted. It showed that depressed people use too much of internet as they don’t
intend to socialize with normal people. It is not yet classified as compulsive disorder
but too much of internet use has shown its negative effects on our lives, work, ability
to learn and concentrate on relationships.

There are two types of internet use: healthy one and unhealthy one. The second one
may result in addiction. Some people work on internet as they have to use it for office
purpose for the whole day. This is not addiction. But if they are spending so much
time on the net that it is affecting their normal life, it becomes addiction. The
following are signs of addiction.

1. Losing track of time will happen to everyone but if it is combined with one or
more signs that person had to worry about addiction.

2. Avoiding any obligation you have because you don’t want to step away from
whatever it is you are doing online.

3. Isolation from friends and family because of internet.

4. Being defensive when someone talks about your obsession and too much use
of internet.

Even though it does not appear in the most recent version of the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV, American Psychiatric Association,
1995; quoted from Young, 1996), many researchers have reported on internet
addiction as a behaviour-oriented addiction. Most researchers would agree that
internet addiction can be defined as a mental and physical dependence on internet use.
More specifically, it means a condition that involves withdrawal, tolerance, and
preoccupation with the internet. Moreover, there will be self-recognition of these
symptoms and others will have expressed anxiety related to them.

Internet addiction disorder:

Internet addiction disorder (IAD) or more broadly, internet overuse, problematic

computer use, is excessive computer use that interferes with daily life. These words
avoid the term addiction and are not limited to any single cause. IAD was originally
proposed as a disorder in a satirical hoax by Ivan Goldberg, M.D. in 1995. He took
pathological gambling as diagnosed by the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
disorders (DSM –IV) as his model for description.

Online activities, which if done in person would normally be considered troublesome,

such as compulsive gambling or shopping are sometimes called net compulsions.
Other habits such as reading, playing, watching or staggering amount of internet
videos or movies are troubling only to the extent that these activities interfere with
normal life. Supporters of disorder classification often divide IAD into subtypes by
activity, such as excessive overwhelming or inappropriate pornography use, gaming,
online social networking, blogging, email or internet shopping. Opponents note that
compulsive behaviours may not themselves be addictive. Young states that the
disorder has significant effects socially, psychologically, occupationally. Addicts were
known to use internet on average of 38 hours of week for non academic and non
employment purposes resulting in poor grades among students, discord among
couples and reduced work performance. Pathological use of internet results in
negative life consequence such as job loss, marriage breakdown, financial debt and
academic failure.

METHODOLOGY RELIED UPON:

Given the popularity of the Internet, the accurate diagnosis of Internet addiction is
often difficult, as its legitimate business and personal applications often mask
addictive behaviour. The best method to clinically detect compulsive use of the
Internet is to compare it against criteria for other established addictions. Researchers
have likened1 Internet addiction to addictive syndromes similar to impulse-control
disorders on the Axis I Scale in the DSM2.

The survey conducted by our group was largely modelled on the ‘Internet Addiction
Test’ (IAT) developed by Dr. Kimberly Young. The IAT is a 20-item questionnaire that
measures mild, moderate, and severe levels of Internet Addiction. The questionnaire
was suitably modified, as also the procedure and other calculations, borrowing only
the theoretical doctrinaire.

The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) is the first validated instrument to assess Internet
addiction.3 The psychometric properties of the IAT show that it reliable and valid
measure that has been used in further research on Internet addiction. The test
measures the extent of client’s involvement with the computer and classifies the
addictive behaviour in terms of mild, moderate, and severe impairment. The IAT can
be utilized among outpatient and inpatient settings and adapted accordingly to fit the
needs of the clinical setting. The IAT has also been translated in several languages
including Chinese, Korean, German, and Portuguese making it the first global
measure.

Young (1998), who sparked the study of internet addiction, claims that the term
addiction can be applied to internet usage because the symptoms of internet addiction
have the same characteristics as those of tobacco and alcohol addiction. She
introduced the measurement of internet addiction which consists of 20 questions on a
5 Likert scale, and many researchers who have performed recent studies on internet
addiction refer to Young’s internet addiction measurement. 4Consequently, the notion
1
Beard, K. W., & Wolf, E. M. (2001), Modification in the proposed diagnostic criteria for Internet
addiction CyberPsychology & Behavior 4: 377-383 as cited in
http://www.icsao.org/fileadmin/Divers_papiers/KYoung-internetaddiction5.pdf
2
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American
Psychiatric Association provides a common language and standard criteria for the classification of
mental disorders
3
Widyanto, L & McMurren, M.. (2004). The psychometric properties of the Internet addiction test.
CyberPsychology & Behavior, 7(4):445-453.
4
Suh, J. (2001). Adolescents’ friendship function, structure, and satisfaction through the
internet. Master’s thesis. Seoul National University
of internet addiction has now been used so widely that it is accepted by most
clinicians and academicians.5

Additionally, addicts suffer sleep deprivation and general physical complaints

considered associated features of Internet addiction. 6 Changes in normal sleeping
patterns result from late night logins as addicts tend to go to bed at later and later
hours, often three, four, or five hours after their normal bedtimes. 7 Lack of sleep and
fatigue are common signs of addictive or compulsive online behaviour. Interestingly,
many addicts will even take caffeine pills just to stay awake and alert for a longer
duration to use the Internet. Internet addicts may also suffer from back strain,
eyestrain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and repetitive stress inquiry from intensive time
spent at the computer.8

Recent studies on Internet addiction mainly focus on three factors to help define and
explain internet addiction: personal, social and internet-related. Firstly, personal
factors such as low self-efficacy 9, introspective characteristics and impulsive
behaviours,10 and the lack of communication skills11 are reported to make consumers
more prone to internet addiction. Secondly, social factors such as weak family support
may create an atmosphere which is conducive to internet addiction12. Additionally, it
should be noted that the combination of socio-psychological factors derived from
interrelationships between the individual and the family as well as personal factors
can contribute to internet addiction. Thirdly, internet-related factors such as longer
internet usage time, easier internet access, and superior internet skills 13 can lead to
addiction.

5
Ha, J. (2000). Introduction of adolescents’ PC addiction. Paper presented at 19th Special
Counseling Case Study Announcement. Korea Young Counseling Institute
6
Sang-Min Whang, L., Lee,S., & Chang, G. (2003) Internet Over-Users' Psychological Profiles: A
Behavior Sampling Analysis on Internet Addiction, CyberPsychology & Behavior. 6 (2): 143-150.
7
Glasser, W. (1989). Reality Therapy: A new approach to psychiatry. San Francisco, CA: Harper
Books.
8
Greenfield, D. (1999). Virtual Addiction: Help for Netheads, Cyberfreaks, and Those Who Love
Them. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publication.
9
Song, W. (1999). Effects on self-efficacy and self-control on the addictive use of internet, Master’s
thesis, Yonsei University
10
Yun, J. (1998). The relationship between internet addiction and mental depression, impulse, and
sensibility characteristics, Master’s thesis, Korea University
11
Park, J. (2001). A study on effective variables of the addictive usage of the internet by adolescents,
Master’s thesis, Sookmyung Women’s University
12
An, S. (2000) A study on the addictive usage of the internet. Master’s thesis. Yonsei University
13
Lee, K. et al. (2001). Emerging consumer issues and remedies in changing consumer environment.
BK21 Project Team Report. Seoul National University’’
 METHODLOGY ADOPTED:

Research Methodology
The research methodology or research design being a prominent part of a statistical
survey has been mentioned here. The following are the various heads coming under
research methodology:

1. Source

The source material for this project is primary in nature. We have collected the
required information directly from 50 people randomly chosen by distributing a 16-
question questionnaire on amongst them. Their responses were studied and tabulated.

The questionnaire used for the survey is annexed with this report.

2. Method of Data Collection

Data may be obtained from either primary source or secondary source. Primary data
means the data collected by an individual himself; it is the first hand information.
Such data are original in character.

Whereas secondary data is the data which are not originally collected rather obtained
from published or unpublished sources. Data which are primary in the hands of one
becomes secondary in the hands of another.

The use of internet being adopted by billions of people across the globe, for the
purposes of viability, only 50 people were studied. Thus, this is a sample based study.
A sample study is one which studies a few units from the entire Universe to draw
conclusions of the whole of the universe. It is the process of learning about the
population on the basis of a sample drawn from the Universe – here the conclusions
are drawn for the entire Universe, not just the sample alone.

3. Statistical tools employed

The 16 questions were divided into 3 heads depending of the kind of impact they have
on the people. Accordingly, the following classification was made-

1) Excessive use- Q 1,11,13,16

2) Social Skills and Psychological Impact- Q 2,3,4,7,10,15

3) Signs of Compulsion- Q 5,6,8,9,12,14

The Pearson’s co-efficient for each pair of these factors were calculated, to reach an
understanding of the general trend.

Pearson’s Correlation is a technique for investigating the relationship between two

quantitative, continuous variables. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) is a measure of
the strength of the association between the two variables.

Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) for continuous (interval level) data ranges from -1
to +1:

1) If r = -1, the data lie on a perfect straight line with a negative slope;
2) If r = 0, no linear relationship between the variables; and

3) If r = +1, data lie on a perfect straight line with a positive slope.

Positive correlation indicates that both variables increase or decrease together,

whereas negative correlation indicates that as one variable increases, so the other
decreases, and vice versa.

If r =

+.70 or higher Very strong positive relationship

+.40 to +.69 Strong positive relationship

+.30 to +.39 Moderate positive relationship

+.20 to +.29 Weak positive relationship

+.01 to +.19 No or negligible relationship

-.01 to -.19 No or negligible relationship

-.20 to -.29 Weak negative relationship

-.30 to -.39 Moderate negative relationship

-.40 to -.69 Strong negative relationship

-.70 or higher Very strong negative relationship

 The Formula for calculating the Pearson’s Co-efficient is:

4. Wide range of subjects:

The subjects were chosen randomly from multiple schools, colleges and residential
apartments from in and around the Cochin city. Thus, the both geographical coverage and
age-group considerations are taken into account. Thus, the generality and veracity of the
sample studied is ensured.

5. Unit of Data Collection

Statistical unit is the terms of which the investigator selects the attributes for the
enumeration, analysis and interpretation.

For the purpose of this study, the unit of data collection is the self-evaluation of the
subjects as follows:

The options of the multiple choice questions were marked as follows:

1) Rarerly-1
2) Occasionally- 2
3) Frequently- 3
4) Always- 4
5) Does not Apply- 0

For Q 5:

Yes-1
No-0

For Q 9:

Good- 1
Manageable-2
Unmanageable-3
Impossible-4
For Q 16:

More than 4 hours- 4

3-4 hours- 3
2-3 hours- 2
1-2 hours- 1
0-1 hours -0

The entire study is based on this unit which is used to analyze several concerns and find
possible solutions.

FINDINGS

Pearson’s Co-relation:
The marks scored by every subject in each of the 3 criteria heads were calculated to find
the Pearson’s co-efficient between each of them.

The following co-relation was revealed:

SL. NO. CRITERIA-I CRITERIA-II Pearson’s

Co-efficient
1. Excessive Use Impacts on social life 0.927
and productivity

2. Impacts on social life Signs of compulsion 0.9166

and productivity
3. Signs of dependence Excessive Use 0.724

4. Age (15-40) Signs of Compulsion -0.605630932077066

Result:
Thus, excessive use has a negligible impact on the social life and productivity of people,
whereas, it is found that subjects increasingly showing compulsive nature have greater
adverse impacts on their social life and productivity. Similarly, between the age group of
15-40, it is seen that older people are less compulsive/dependent to the internet.

Percentages:
Of the total of 50 subjects studied,
1) 71.69 % of them reported that they access social networking sites every time they
go online:

2) The response to how they think life without internet is going to be, 37.74 % said it
would be unimaginable.
3) 30.18 % of the people spend an average of 2-3 hours, everyday-
 CONCLUSION

It is revealed from the above study, that though most of the people (in the locality of
Cochin), seem to be huge users of the Social Networking Sites and cannot imagine life
without the internet, are able to balance their lives effectively. Internet addiction does not
appear to be a threatening problem amongst the people, here.

The study also appears to be largely successful, confirming the general hypothesis as
regards the usage trends of teenagers as against middle age people.

Some errors may arise while conducting the survey which are illustrated below:-

1) The first step involves choosing the sample frame, those who actually have a 

chance to be selected. If there are some people in the target population who do not 

have any chance at all to be selected for the sample, and if they are somehow 

consistently different from those who do have a chance to be selected, the resulting 

sample will be biased in those ways. 

2) If somehow the process of selecting who is in the sample is not random, the result 

could be a sample of respondents who are different from the target population as a 

whole. For example, if a sample consists of people who volunteer to be in a survey, 

they are likely to have a different profile of interests than those who do not volunteer.
 3) Finally, failure to collect answers from everyone selected to be in the sample is a 

third potential source of bias. Some people are not available to answer questions; 

some people are unable to answer questions, due to their health or their language 

skills; some people refuse to answer the questions. To the extent that those who are 

unavailable, unable, or unwilling to answer questions are different from the rest of the

population in ways that affect the survey answers, the results of the survey may be 

biased.

4) For questions designed to measure objective facts, but not subjective states, there 

also is the potential that answers will be biased. In a way completely analogous to 

bias with respect to the samples, what bias means in this context is that on average

the errors in answers, the way in which answers differ from the true score, are 

more likely to be in one direction than another.

ANNEXURE:

1. How often do you find that you stay on-line longer than you intended?
Rarely Occasionally Frequently Always
Does Not Apply

2. How often do you neglect household (general) chores to spend more time on-
line?
Rarely Occasionally Frequently Always
Does Not Apply

3. How often do others in your life complain to you about the amount of time
you spend on-line?
Rarely Occasionally Frequently Always
Does Not Apply

4. How often do your grades/school-work or, as the case maybe, your job
performance/ productivity suffer because of the amount of time you spend on-
line?
Rarely Occasionally Frequently Always
 Does Not Apply

5. How often do you access social networking sites each time you go on-line?
Yes No

6. How often do you form new relationships with other on-line users?
Rarely Occasionally Frequently Always
Does Not Apply

7. How often do you block out real life problems in your life by going online?
Rarely Occasionally Frequently Always
Does Not Apply

8. How often do you find yourself anticipating/looking forward to going on-line

again?
Rarely Occasionally Frequently Always
Does Not Apply

9. How often do think life would be without the internet?

Good Manageable
Unimaginable Impossible

10. How often do you snap, yell, or act annoyed if someone bothers you while you
are on-line?

Rarely Occasionally Frequently Always

Does Not Apply

11. How often do you lose sleep due to late-night log-ins?

Rarely Occasionally Frequently Always
Does Not Apply

12. How often do you feel preoccupied with the Internet when off-line (e.g.
thinking about- the game you play on-line/ correspondence on social
networking sites etc. ) ?

Rarely Occasionally Frequently Always

Does Not Apply
13. How often do you try to cut down the amount of time you spend online and
fail?
Rarely Occasionally Frequently Always
Does Not Apply

14. How often do you cover up how long you’ve been online?
Rarely Occasionally Frequently Always
Does Not Apply

15. How often do you choose to spend more time on-line over going out with
others?
Rarely Occasionally Frequently Always
Does Not Apply

16. How many hours, on an average, do you spend online?

0-1 Hour
1-2 Hour
2-3 Hour
3-4 Hour
More than 4 hours