Abstract

AIM. This paper reports the results of a study on the trends of computer and internet use among students, also potential negative influence, including health problems.
BACKGROUND. The society of information technology has created an environment which has both positive and negative aspects. Students are a vulnerable population that can be negatively influenced by this situation.
METHOD. Questionnaire data was collected from 388 respondents in 4th, 7th and 9th forms of five high schools in Harju, Valga and Jõgeva Counties. The data was collected in January 2007. The level of addiction was measured with the Young (1996) questionnaire (a student who gives a positive response to fi ve questions out of eight belongs to the risk category).
RESULTS. Most of the respondents have internet connection at home and half of the students use it very often in the evenings, onethird in the daytime and some of them during the night. Average use of computer/internet is four hours per day and 23 hours per week. The findings of the research indicate that there are certain negative aspects associated with the use of the computer/internet: one-fifth of the students have had health problems, e.g. pain in the eyes, back, arm, and head. Onethird of the respondents can be classified as addicts according to the Young (1996) internet addiction questionnaire.
CONCLUSIONS. Internet is a useful tool for finding necessary information and for communication but excessive use of the internet and computer can cause health problems influencing the psychological, mental and physical wellbeing of students.