Internet Addiction and Attention Span: An Intervention Study
Introduction
In this technological age, people are becoming increasingly reliant on technological devices such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and the like. The younger generation in particular are becoming more technologically savvy and dependent on technology and internet compared to the older generations. However, it can be observed that the younger generation are becoming increasingly bored and have a shorter attention span. This study aims to determine whether limiting the exposure to the Internet can improve the attention span of the new generation.
Because this study aims to determine the effect of internet usage on the attention span of the new generation, the population to be study are members of the younger generation, particularly preteens who are within the age bracket of 12-15 years. This is because this is age bracket have been exposed to the internet at an early age.
Statement of the Problem
The problem aims to measure the impact of internet addiction on the attentions span of the younger generation. Internet addiction is defined as a disorder in which an individual has poor and uncontrolled impulse to access the World Wide Web (WWW), leading to negative results. Studies have reported that at least with 8% - 12% of Americans and Europeans are afflicted with this condition (Cash, Rae, Steel & Winkler, 2012). To complete the study, data from various database would be accumulated and analysed. In addition to this, the data or information that will be gathered will be thoroughly weighed based on their merits (i.e. sample size, statistical significance, etc.).
Importance of the Study
The study will be relevant in today’s society because a shorter attention span will generally lower the productivity of an individual, because of the tendency to multitask. In addition, it can lead to more adverse conditions such as restlessness, irritability and a state of boredom. This can also impair interpersonal relationships, to the point in which people can no longer identify social cues due to their over-reliance on the Internet and social media sites as an alternative form of communication (Deitchman, n.d.).
Research Question and Hypothesis
Overall, the research question of this study would be “Does Internet addiction have a significant effect on the attention span?” As with any other study, this experiment requires two hypothesis. The null hypothesis for this experiment would be “Internet Addiction is not significantly linked to lower attention span”. On the other hand, the alternative hypothesis is “Internet addiction is correlated with a lower attention span.”
Variables of the Study
For the research, the independent variable is the rate of internet usage, which can be classified into two: an unlimited use of the Internet and a restricted one. On the other hand, the dependent variable is the attention span of the individuals because its dependence on the independent variable, the rate of Internet usage, is the point of focus of the study.
Implications of the Study
Determining the effect of internet usage and addiction on attention span can lead into new insights regarding the shorter attention span regarding the younger addiction, which can be considered one of the major sociological problems nowadays as it is a contributing factor in the generation gap. Once the effect of internet on attention span is determined, further studies can be done on its effects and policies can be implemented in order to limit usage so as to improve the younger generation’s attention span.
References
Cash, H., Rae, C., Steel, A., & Winkler, A. (2012). Internet Addiction: A Brief Summary of Research and Practice. Current Psychiatry, 8(4), 292-298. doi: 10.2174/157340012803520513
Deitchman, A. (n.d.). Wait, what? On Social Network Use and Attention. Retrieved from http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/appsych/opus/issues/2010/fall/On_Social_Network_Use_and_Attention
