Internet chatting : implications for Form 4 and Form 5 students

Abstract

This dissertation deals with students', parents' and PSD teachers' perspectives on the implications of internet chatting. The research investigates whether Form 4 and Form 5 teenage students chat on the internet and if so, the importance they give to this facility. Questionnaires to Form 4 and Form 5 students and their parents, together with an interview with PSD teachers were conducted. The findings show that students are spending a considerable amount of hours surfing and chatting everyday mostly with their school friends followed by other friends. There seems to be an awareness about internet safety and the majority of students are given advice about this at school. Students encountered persons in real life, whom they got to know through chatting and the majority took their friends with them and even told their parents. It seems that parents approve that their children are chatting online but not everyone agrees on the amount of time they spend online. A number of recommendations are put forward in view of the findings. These are directed at education policy makers, parents and teachers.