The Impact of Internet Motive and Access on the Opportunities and Risks of Teenager Internet Users in Indonesia

Authors

  • Amia Luthfia*, Pinckey Triputra , Hendriyani

Abstract

Indonesia, as a developing country in the Asian region, has a very rapid growth of internet users.
The internet users had reached 171.17 million users and had penetrated more than 66% of teenagers in 2019.
The internet is like a double-edged sword and subtly intertwined: provide intended consequences (online
opportunities) but also the potential for unintended consequences (online risks). This study examined how
the access and motives of Indonesian teenagers using the internet are correlated with the opportunities and
risks that arise from such use. A self-administered survey was conducted with teenagers aged 12-18 in
Indonesia, and the results analysed with Path analysis. The results indicated that the youth motives for using
the internet—such as for study, entertainment, social connection or other—directly affect their opportunities
but did not alter the risk levels of internet usage. The higher motives and the easier teenagers access the
internet, the more likely they are experiencing and gaining opportunities on the internet. The effortlessness
and the ability teenagers access internet bring not only opportunities but also risks. Teenagers can
experience online risks through online opportunities. This research found a moderate degree of internet
access influence on online risk, so guidance and supervision in accessing the internet are very important and
will help to reduce risks and increase opportunities. Future research should explore on features in social
media and applications that impact to opportunity and risk

Published

2020-04-30

Issue

Section

Articles