Internet: A Right to Use and Access Information, or a Utopia?

Abstract

This study examines the impact of the Internet on a student society by investigating the effective use of the Internet at tertiary education. The main objectives of the studies were to determine whether the Internet is being optimally utilized at tertiary education, and to evaluate the level of utilization of the Internet. The study also identified problems experienced by students. A convenience sample of 95 under-graduate students was used at the University of KwaZulu Natal (Westville campus) (only information systems and technology (IS&T) students were included in the study because they had access to computers). The researcher compiled a questionnaire to collect the data. The study revealed that the activity that students mostly used was e-mail systems. The majority of the students (81%) have indicated there are insufficient computers for proper Internet usage. Fifty-eight percent of the students still use the library to access information. Seventy-four percent of the students have indicated that the Internet is easy to use.