Assessing The Effects of Internet Addiction on Self- Esteem And Academic Motivation among Undergraduate Students in Daystar University, Athi River, Kenya

Abstract

The global assimilation of the Internet into the daily human life activities has raised questions about its academic and psychological effects, specifically on among university students. Therefore, this study aims to explain the effects of Internet Addiction on self-esteem and academic motivation among 356 undergraduate students at Daystar University, Athi River Campus. In spite of the international search connecting internet addiction (IA) with both behavioral and emotional outcomes such as; anxiety, depression, and poor academic performance, restricted empirical data lives within the Kenyan Private University setting specifically concerning psychological effects such as: self-esteem and academic motivation.. Therefore, this study aims to (1)to determine the prevalence and severity of Internet Addiction among Undergraduate students at Daystar University.(2) to examine the relationship between Internet addiction and self-esteem .(3)to examine the relationship between Internet addiction and academic motivation . And (4) to examine the psychological, social and behavioral factors associated with high levels of Internet addiction the students. The study will be guided by the following theoretical frameworks: Cognitive behavioral theory (CBT), Rosenberg self-esteem theory (RSES), self-determination theory (SDT) and the use and gratification theory (UGT). A descriptive research design will be carried out in the said target population consisting of students who are in the ages of 18-25. They will be selected using the stratified and simple random sampling technique and the following tools used: Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Academic Motivational Scale (AMS), as well as a customized questionnaire. Moreover, the data was examined by implementing the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) in which the summary statistics summed up demographic characteristics and commonness of Internet addiction. Referential statistics, which include person correlation and multiple regressions, will also be used to examined the connection among Internet addiction, self-esteem, as well as academic motivation .Diagnostic tests were included as well to make sure or to be certain of the validity of regression results. This study was able to give principal awareness of internet use among Kenyan University undergraduate students as well as give insight to academic institutions, counselors, policy makers, and mental health practitioners by enabling the growth of digital wellness initiatives that will benefit the students