Abstract:

Problematic internet usage has been linked in research to reduced academic performance and reduced wellbeing. In the current study a workshop to promote healthy internet use was developed using health setting and health belief model theory. The aims of the workshop were to develop student awareness of their technology use and its potential impacts on wellbeing and academic performance and also to empower students to make positive changes to their technology habits if they so wished. The workshop was delivered to five groups, 44 university students participated (34% female, 61% male, 5% other). The students were informed of research on problematic internet use, they were given time for active reflection and discussion of their own technology use and a behavioral change methodology was proposed as a technique to redesign digital habits. The students assessed their internet behaviour and wellbeing before and after the workshop. The students reported that the workshop developed their awareness of problematic internet use, could enable reduction in problematic internet use and could potentially have a positive impact on wellbeing. The students reported that managing their technology use could enable them to manage their academic work more effectively. The findings suggest that a workshop such as Reconnect can have a positive effect on student wellbeing and academic performance, thus should be considered for deployment to students broadly.

Keywords:

Problematic internet use, internet addiction, social media addiction, student wellbeing.