Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.3935/ljsr.v30i1.510

HOW GENERATION Z PERCIEVE INTERNET?

Daniela Šincek orcid.org/0000-0001-8011-3280 ; Faculty of Philosophy in Osijek, University Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek, Croatia
Marija Milić orcid.org/0000-0003-3018-769X ; Faculty of Philosophy in Osijek, University Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek, Croatia
Anita Barišić orcid.org/0000-0001-5245-8265 ; Faculty of Law, Josip University Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek, Croatia

Abstract

Today's adolescents grow up with digital technologies and the Internet from birth. In order to learn about the Internet experience of these adolescents, in accordance with the social constructivist perspective, qualitative methodology was used in this paper. The Uses and Gratification Theory guided the formulation of questions in a semi-structured interview. To explore the youth’s perception of the internet, ten girls and nine boys were interviewed. Their answers were analysed by thematic analysis and four thematic units «Experience of the term Internet from the perspective of high school students», «Motivation to use the Internet» and «Experience of the positive and negative consequences of Internet use» and "Emotional experience of using the Internet" were identified. Motives for using the Internet have been shown to include entertainment, learning, social interactions, and, to a lesser extent, stress reduction. Young people identify both positive and negative aspects of using the Internet, citing more negative experiences based on their own experiences. The use of the Internet, on the other hand, causes several different pleasant emotional reactions, but also conflicts with family and failures in the performance of home and school obligations.

Keywords

Internet; adolescents; social constructivism; uses and gratification theory

Hrčak ID:

306606

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/306606

Publication date:

10.7.2023.

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