Internet usage status among Chinese college students

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine Internet usage status among Chinese college students and how personal differences impact students' online activities. Quantitative research was employed and the findings were descriptive in nature. Results showed that the majority (80%) of participating Zhejiang University (ZJU) students (N=596) currently owned PCs. Averagely, they spent 3.11 hrs per day using computer, within which 2.51 hrs with online activities. ZJU students participated in nine of the fifteen listed online activities frequently. Half of them used study-related websites and browsed online programs frequently. Only 39% used major related websites frequently. Most students did not use English websites or use Internet to communicate with teachers frequently. Few students knew how to make web page. Gender and other five factors had different impact on students' different online activities. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.