The Effect of Internet Using Behaviors upon the Physical and Mental Health of Thai Children and Youths: Case Study in Bangkok

The purpose of the research was to study the behavior of children and youth related to using the internet. The sample consisted of 1,584 children and youths in Bangkok. The Canonical Correlation Analysis statistics method was applied to analyze the data. The research results revealed that using the internet for entertainment purposes exerted good effects on mental health at 25%; meanwhile, it negatively affected mental health at 10.6%. Using the internet for education and business displayed effects on physical health only at 1.2%. In the second part of the research, section one used in-depth interviews with five children and youths, and section two used a personal interview of four executives and experts specifically chosen. From all of the research results, the children and the majority of youths derived more benefits than bad effects. However, using too much internet either positively or negatively would cause some physical and mental health effects. Recommended internet media controls include the following: 1) the government must be part in blocking improper internet and promoting the good internet media; 2) the communities must take part in monitoring bad internet media, both content and images; 3) parents and families must take care and keep an eye on their children; and 4) the mass communication organizations must promote good media and screen the bad media sites.

並列關鍵字

Internet ； Physical Health and Mental Health ； Children and Youth

國際替代計量

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