Internet Addiction and Its Effects on Academic Motivation: An Empirical Study among University Students

Abstract

The Internet has emerged as a significant catalyst for societal transformation, impacting human behavior and giving rise to concerns about Internet addiction. University students represent a demographic that extensively utilizes the Internet for both informational and entertainment purposes. This research aims to investigate the interplay between Internet addiction and academic motivation, shedding light on the previously identified adverse effects on academic performance within a university context. The study endeavors to enhance our understanding of this issue by exploring potential connections between patterns of Internet use, Internet addiction, and students' motivation to study. A survey was conducted involving 187 students enrolled in three different faculties at the University of Tirana, Albania. Participants completed two questionnaires: the Internet Addiction Test (IAT)  and the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) . The collected data were subjected to analysis to identify instances of Internet addiction and ascertain any correlations between this phenomenon and academic motivation. The study's findings underscore the pervasive influence of the Internet on students' academic lives. The results reveal a negative association between levels of Internet addiction and various facets of  motivation to study. Regardless of the purpose, extended Internet usage is shown to detrimentally impact academic performance. Consequently, it is imperative to closely monitor students' academic progress and address issues related to technology addiction through appropriate interventions.