Gendered Patterns and Prevalence of Internet Use among Adolescents: Evidence from Varanasi, India
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Authors
Roshani Gupta
Banaras Hindu University
Keywords:
Internet, Adolescents, Gender, YouTube, Social mediaAbstract
Abstract: The study of gender and internet usage patterns highlighted significant differences in the use of males and females with online platforms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the gender difference in internet usage patterns and frequency. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among nine senior secondary schools in the Varanasi district. The study administered a self-structured interview schedule, containing closed-ended questions. The survey was conducted from March 2024 to August 2024 among 200 students using the random sampling method. Results found that the proportion of smartphone ownership was high among both male (94.1%) and female (88.9%) participants. YouTube and WhatsApp emerged as the most favourite app between both genders. Males were more likely to have public social media accounts compared to females, and they share photos and videos on them. Males were significantly more engaged in online gaming, while females showed higher engagement in social media, online chatting, educational activities, and news consumption. The study highlights notable gender disparities in Internet usage patterns, focusing on the intensity of use. Participants in Varanasi engage in various types of online activities.
Keywords: Internet, Pattern, Adolescents, Gender, Social Media
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