Study: Students Depend on Web

(U-WIRE) GAINESVILLE, Fla. - College students have become increasingly dependent on computers when compared to the rest of the population, according to a recent nationwide study.

The Pew Internet and American Life Project found 86 percent of college students have used the Internet, compared with 59 percent of the overall U.S. population. The study found many students left their computers on 24 hours a day.

"My computer is turned on all day long, and I'm connected to the Internet 24 hours a day," said University Florida nursing junior Laura Benitez.

The survey, which 2,054 students answered in Spring 2001, contained an error margin of plus or minus 2 percentage points. The Internet has become an affordable way to keep in touch with friends and family, the study found

Forty-two percent of students surfing the Internet said they most often use it for keeping in touch with friends, either with instant message systems or emails, according to the survey.

"I use the Internet constantly to Instant Message my boyfriend, who goes to school in Tennessee, and friends at Clemson [University] and other schools," said University of Florida sophomore Ashley Barwig.

Nearly three-fourths of college students said most of the email they send is to friends.

"My favorite thing to do online is talk to my friends for free," Barwig said.

But relationships with professors also have improved with Internet use. Forty-six percent of college students surveyed said email alone has enhanced their relationships with professors. Benitez said she agreed that email helped her deal with her professors and classes.

"This past year, I have found more and more how important email communication is with my professors and meeting class deadlines," Benitez said.

Only 38 percent of the students surveyed said they use the Internet mostly for academics. Instead, Internet access is allowing students to fit more into less time.

"I can talk to my friends, write a paper and search for information for a term paper all at once," Benitez said.

Copyright ©2002 Independent Florida Alligator via U-Wire

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