Philippine E-Journals

Internet Usage from a Generational Perspective

Joe Sanjay Ignatius | Ma. Regina M. Hechanova

Discipline: Psychology

 

Abstract:

This study investigated Internet usage from a generational perspective. A survey was conducted among 176 Internet users from the four regions in the Philippines. Cluster analysis of age and Internet usage revealed two groups – digital natives and digital immigrants. These groups significantly differed in 16 areas of Internet usage: utilizing search engine, playing games, visiting pornographic sites, listening to the radio, viewing videos or movies, downloading media (music, movies, TV shows), downloading software, participating in online communication/e-groups, using social networking sites (e.g., Friendster, Facebook, etc.), writing and posting online journal (blog), sharing personal files, artwork, photos and videos, creating and maintaining own website, reading website or blogs of others, posting comments on other’s website, contributing information to websites like Wikipedia, and spreading photos or videos of others without their permission. Digital natives scored higher than digital immigrants in all 16 areas.