Exploring gender differences in Malaysian urban adolescent Internet usage

Authors

  • Patrick C-H Soh Multimedia University
  • Boon Heng Teh Multimedia University
  • Yong Hoe Hong Multimedia University
  • Tze San Ong
  • John P. Charlton

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v18i9.4334

Keywords:

Uses & Gratifications, Internet, Gender

Abstract

This study explored gender differences in urban adolescent Internet access, usage and motives. Data were collected from 914 urban school students in Malaysia. Factor analysis revealed that eroticism, entertainment, social-interaction, shopping and information/ surveillance are the key drivers for adolescence Internet usage. No differences between boys and girls were detected in Internet accessibility and home computer ownership. Boys and girls differed in their intensity of usage, place of access and their motivations to use the Internet. Girls were more motivated by social-interaction, shopping and surveillance/ information, while boys were more motivated by eroticism and had a higher tendency to be addicted to the Internet. However, boys and girls did not exhibit any significant differences in online entertainment motivation.

Author Biographies

Patrick C-H Soh, Multimedia University

Patrick C-H Soh (Ph. D) teaches at Multimedia University, Malaysia and is a visiting scholar to Singapore Internet Research Centre, Nanyang Technological University. His research interests include Internet usage, addiction, electronic commerce and business. He received his Ph. D. in Internet usage from Multimedia University and Master of Science Degree in Information Systems at Malaysia University of Science and Technology.

Tze San Ong

Assistant Professor at Faculty of Economics and Management Universities Putra Malaysia

John P. Charlton

Reader in Psychology with research interests in computer-related behaviors and attitudes at University of Bolton, United Kingdom

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Published

2013-08-27

How to Cite

Soh, P. C.-H., Teh, B. H., Hong, Y. H., Ong, T. S., & Charlton, J. P. (2013). Exploring gender differences in Malaysian urban adolescent Internet usage. First Monday, 18(9). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v18i9.4334