TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE
1.0

INTRODUCTIONS...........................................................................................3

2.0

BENEFITS OF THE INTERNET ON STUDENTS

2.1 Online Learning ...........................................................................................4
2.2 Digital Library..............................................................................................5
2.3 Social Networking........................................................................................6
2.4 Change the Way of Learning .......................................................................6

3.0

DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE INTERNET ON STUDENTS

3.1 Pornography Addiction................................................................................7
3.2 Online Gambling...........................................................................................8
3.3 Inaccuracies of Information .........................................................................8
3.4 Social Networking Addiction.......................................................................9

4.0

SUGGESTIONS
4.1 Law..............................................................................................................10
4.2 Education Seminar on Internet....................................................................10
4.3 Religious Education.....................................................................................11
4.4 Self Control..................................................................................................11

5.0

CONCLUSION.................................................................................................12

6.0

REFFERENCES................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTIONS
The development of the global environment has a significant impact on efforts to
develop the country as a knowledge-based economy that is competitive. Along with these
developments, technological progress should also be strengthened in line with the move
towards national development. One of the great technological advances spoken in the world
today is the internet. Internet in general is a large-scale network which connects millions of
computers that can communicate on an ongoing basis throughout the world. Each network
provides a variety of information resources and services that can be accessed via the internet.
Through research over 459 million estimated internet users around the world. Internet
has

become

common

phenomenon

in

human

life

by providing

access

to

telecommunications services and resources by millions of users worldwide. The world at our
fingertips and the borderless world became one of the many attractions on the internet
influence on people's lifestyle today. Every aspect of life cannot escape from using the
progress of this field. For example, the provision of data communication services such as file
transfer, electronic mail and other information can be accessed easily without time constraint
and limitation. The world seems smaller due to the widespread usage of the internet
regardless of the cost, time and limits. According to Ismail (2003), the development of
information technology and communication makes today's world increasingly narrow. This is
due to the fact that in recent years, the usage of internet became so dominant in human life
that by simply pressing the keyboard we can get the required information promptly and
easily. It becomes a necessity to all walks of life from various fields such as industry,
business, education, entertainment and so on. This situation reflects the fact that the
progresses of this indirectly improve the quality of human life and allow us to build a
knowledgeable society.
In the educational world, the internet is widely used basically at improving the
education system. The rapid development of information technology and the internet give
new breath to education based on information technology and communication. The usage of
internet is growing rapidly in the country's education system from primary school to higher
education. This prompted the government to allocate huge funds for the provision of internet
facilities in schools. Usage of internet in education and learning is a new approach and it
gains the attention of the catalyst to the efforts of many colleges and universities to provide
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virtual learning opportunities. For example, the Open University Malaysia (OUM) itself
which provides distance education opportunities that does not require students to attend
classes regularly. Students can access information, share information and research,
assignments and any other question related information on the courses taken at any time
regardless of their location through internet. In this way we are able to produce students who
are competitive, knowledgeable and are global thinking.
We must admit that the usage of the internet in education has a great impact not only
on teachers but also the students. There is no denying that the internet greatly affects the life
of a student. This has led some research parties to do a survey on the students around the
world about the overall impact of the internet on their lives. As a result of these studies it is
sufficient to describe that internet is part of their lives. Yet despite our passion to build a
knowledgeable society and competitive, sometimes we tend to forget or divert from the
original purpose of the existence of the internet itself. It is proven in many studies that the
usage of internet affects positively on students. The annual student's motivation, increases
self-learning and improves both communication and writing skills but in the same time gives
the detrimental affects on students as well as given a serious thought. According to Al-Helaly
and Al-Sakry (1999), for instance, show both positive and negative sides of using the internet
and this invites all internet users to share in establishing the national culture and living in
harmony with the information technology revolution.
BENEFITS OF THE INTERNET ON STUDENTS
2.1) Online Learning
Internet has enable services, and training programs channel through the online and its
accessible remotely on long distance. E-learning or learning via online which was introduced
to students is one of the method that is carried out through the usage of technology such as
telephone, audio, videotape, satellite transmission or computer. Based on the research by
Linda C. Joseph from the Columbus (Ohio) Public Schools, the concept of e-learning is not
only about sending lecture notes to the student or submitting assignments to the lecturer by email but the actual filling of the website should be filled with a forum or discussion of two
way communication, organizing information in a more organized manner in terms of lecture

notes, schedules, tuition fees, tutorials and examinations. To meet the criteria above,
interactive and effective learning can be done.
Students can decide by themselves to learn anywhere at anytime. This allows students
to manage time more effectively. Virtual learning also involves the use of cost-effective and
does not cost a lot. Online, interactive learning allows students to explore new information
through digital libraries or websites. Students have an opportunity to get experience talking to
experts from universities through e-mail or blackboard. As technology advance in education,
distance education provides a way to disseminate information and knowledge on a global
basis.
For example is MyVLE was introduced and practiced by the Open University
Malaysia (OUM). Through this MyVLE enables students to become more independent and
learning to repeat as often as needed to suit their own time. MyVLE also provides an
opportunity for students to learn effectively with minimal guidance to lead their own learning
process at their appropriate time. In addition, students can also get the entire learning task
without having to turn up for class.
2.2) Digital Library
Based on the research by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Isman Aytekin clearly shows that the
internet is capable of providing the digital library containing of 800 million science
informations that is especially useful in learning. With 76.6% of the votes is sufficient
enough to describe that online library plays an important role in their learning. The existence
of this virtual library that can be accessed throughout the world allows students to access
required information without the constraints of time and cost. In addition, they also think that
the internet is the fastest way to get the desired knowledge by their votes accumulating of
67.6%. It is regarded as a storehouse of knowledge due to its ability in providing millions of
information that enables students to get materials and information for projects or research to
enhance innovation and creativity of students in any field of endeavor.
Journals and electronic texts that can be accessed through internet are one of the best
examples and more it is accessible to students around the world. Knowledge of materials has
been very helpful towards student learning according to the individual needs to explore
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information interactively. For instance library Universiti Sains Malaysia has provided 22
databases such as EBSCOhost, ProQuest, Emerald and others to store information needed by
students in digital format. In this way it enables to create a fun learning environment and
challenging as well as increase motivation for students.
2.3) Social Networking
The internet provides many ways to communicate regardless of place, borders or
country. Through internet students can discuss what they have learned, while enriching the
input mind with knowledge contributed by other students. This will not only produce students
who are knowledgeable but open students minds to the world current issues. With the
existence of knowledgeable students, the phrase hide under nutshell does not exists.
With the existence of facebook, blogs, twitter and other social network that serves as a
communication tool that enables students to communicate with all levels of society around
the world. In this way students are able to exchange views on certain issue related to their
assignments. As a result we are able to build competitive students with students from abroad.
For example MyVLE, therefore if the student does not attend classes they are still able to
communicate with the instructors and other students through forums, email and chat which
are provided in MyVLE. Although MyVLE is not categorized as a social network such as
other social network and it is limited to students of Open University Malaysia (OUM) only
nevertheless it is still one of the most important means of communication between students
and teachers of OUM. Therefore they were able to exchange ideas relating to education and
simultaneously improve students understanding and to master their subjects. In a case study
conducted by Tasir, Z., Linggu, J.S. & Harun, J. (2011) found that there are some who said
that social networking tools can make learning session is more interesting.
2.4) Change the way of learning
Before the advent of internet, students were too dependent on teachers and the
environment. To get any information they had to work hard to ask or look for relevant
reading materials. Bear in mind that we cannot afford to get wrong information if we choose
the right reading materials. In another words without the help of internet searching of
information takes time. One example is that when given an assignment that requires us to
5

make a lot of references. With the advent of internet, we do not have to bother looking for a
lot of reading material. With only through the internet we can get information at anytime.
Thus the use of energy and time is below the minimum level. Havice (1999) classified that
traditional teaching which involves the usage of textbooks and teaching methods are more
centered on the teaching of only one-way communication as it is well as more focused on
mastery learning concepts rather than competence. But the advent of the internet changed the
way student of learning where they can learn anywhere without having to carry a lot of
reading material.
DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE INTERNET ON STUDENTS
3.1) Pornography Addiction
Internet functions as an important medium to deliver information without any
limitation exposing students to certain website or pornographic pictures. Absence of
restriction or supervision by certain parties provides space and opportunity for students to
access the site, which also became obscene frenzy with today's students. It is a catalyst for
such crimes as rape, lewd honor and prostitution involving students. We hear of so many sex
crimes involving students every day through local newspapers as well as abroad. For
example, adultery which triggers the occurrence of symptoms such as case likes baby
dumping and illegal abortions involving students which are widely spread today. Students
gamble with their future students just because they could not resist the influence of the
internet. Che Wan Badrul Alias (2010), states that the sex ponografy website remains in the
top spot, whereby its the fourth and fifth out of 100 websites frequently visited by children
and adolescents throughout 2009.
According to Agenda Malaysia website report dated 15 August 2001, a case study
conducted by an internet monitoring company, NetValue found 41.2% of the 9.411 site by
internet users in Britain are made up of pornographic websites. In fact it is estimated to be
about 3.6 million out of 10 million internet users in the country are often spotted surfing
pornographic websites, spending 45 minutes to navigate within a week. What is more
disturbing is when the results of the case study also found that one-fifth of that number is
made up of students and teenagers. The Malaysia society is also not spared from this moral
threat. A preliminary case study on the attitudes and influence of porn sites on four of the
6

internet users in Malaysia was conducted by a lecture of Psychology Department in National

University of Malaysia (UKM), Dr. Rozmi Ismail. Rozmi (2001) in his case study has found
out that of the 200 students selected for the case study sample, 30% of those admitted had a
habit of surfing porn sites on the ground want to escape the study stress. 30% of respondents
admitted that they had been surfing porn sites for entertainment purposes while 20% of them
say that they are doing so on the influence of friends. The rest claimed that they only spend
their leisure time.
3.2) Online Gambling
Gaming or gambling which are served by the internet has led to addiction of gambling
game among today's students. This gambling game is not like gambling at the casino which
involves betting money against an outcome of the game but more on the use of a personal
computer equipped with internet connection. Gambling, which usually involves betting
money is no longer a problem for them because a lot of gambling modified concept had
spread among today's students. The existence of online gambling that is easily accessible is to
attract more participation among students even if they are not working and have their own
income.
This scenario case is alarming because research Annenberg Foundation in the United
States (U.S.) have shown that approximately 600,000 teenagers or students age 14 to 22 years
admitted to gambling on the internet every week. In Malaysia itself, we are served with a
variety of news about gambling among students whereby many of them do so in the cyber
cafe. Their strong addiction leads them to neglect their studies. Education has become not
important to them. As a result many of them are dropping out of their studies. This addiction
can be a threat not only to the students themselves but also to the nation.
3.3) Inaccuracies of Information
The ability of the internet to provide a variety of information makes it as easier for
students to use it as their main reference. Although the internet provides several types of
information, but the inaccuracies of the information is impossible to contain. Students who
are too dependent on the internet to get some information for an assignment maybe exposed
to inaccurate information. This causes confusion among students to receive such information.
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This information of inaccuracies results from the absence of restrictions on the world
community to disseminate inaccurate information and the involvement of unscrupulous
people.
The students attitudes those are not careful while being too casual and receptive to survey
the information will cause this problem to be difficult to be contained. The situation becomes
more complicated when students share false information with other students. This will cause
confusion among students when receiving new information related to such information. The
existence of inaccurate information will also creat chaos if it involves a race, religion or
country.
3.4) Social Networking Addiction
The existence of social sites such as facebook, twitter, friendster, tagged and myspace
were the reason for negligence student. This social site is the most famous type of application
and frequently accessed by students. It is stated that almost all student have their own
accounts in these social sites. They spent many hours just to log on to this social. Time
should be allocated to do school assignments or revise their lessons are wasted. As a result,
many students are far behind academically. Besides that there are a few students who are
willing to skip classes just to surf social sites. This is in line with the findings by Johari
Hassan & Raja Shahrina Raja Abdul Rashid (2012) who argued that students should
concentrate in school because their education was interrupted because there was little time to
revise. Furthermore, the attitudes of students who are willing to skip school for a cyber cafe
due to internet addiction also affect their health and education.
The influence of social sites is highly prevalent among adult students. The ability of
these social sites which connects them to all walks of life in the outside world who are
willing to spend money to surf social sites at the cyber cafe. Cyber cafes are among one of
the most frequently visited by the students. Influx of students adequate internet cafes reflect
how great boom facebook, twitter, tagged and myspace affects students.
According to Johari Hassan & Raja Shahrina Raja Abdul Rashid (2012), social
networking sites like facebook, tagged, myspace and friendster are frequently accessed
applications and it get the attention of many students nowdays. Through research conducted
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almost half of them which is 47.2% of the students visiting the social network daily. This is
due to the usage of internet by almost all home users even students who own a cell phone is
also able to subscribe to this social site accounts through their mobile phones.
SUGGESTIONS TO REDUCE THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS
4.1) Law
Several laws have been enacted by the government solely designed to protect the
community, especially the youths which are mostly made up of groups of students. Among
the laws that are enacted as the Computer Crimes Act 1997, the Digital Signature Act 1997,
states that the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and also the other existing laws.
This law provides sufficient protection for everyone. However, research needs to be done on
cyber law and anything related to it from time to time in accordance with the global threat
level which is always changing. The government should also enact a strict rule which carries
more weight in order to address the availability of pornography and immorality found on the
internet.
In addition to that, the government also needs to determine the existence of an
independent organization that specializes in information security which can provide services
and advice on the correct and proper way to deal with cyber threats. With the establishment
of an independent organization, society can make a reference in connection with internet
abuse problems leading to a settlement, monitoring and control of the problem.
Internet cafes should also play an important role in the effort to curb Internet abuse
among students. They should shut down access to certain websites such as porn or gambling
web sites to avoid student to have access to it. Strict enforcement against the owner of an
internet cafe so that they should be more responsible and work together in order to address
this problem.
4.2) Education Seminar on Internet
An education seminar on the impact of internet abuse must also be enhanced by
involving the students, teachers, parents and the public. The parents involvements are most
9

important for the formation of one's character starting at home. This illustrates that the role of
parents in this effort is greatly needed for the effectiveness of the efforts undertaken. Parents
should monitor websites accessed by their children at home as often as possible. If needed
parents can also install Internet Filtering Software that facilitates parents monitor web sites
accessed by their children. It is noted that fragile family institution is among one of the
causes to internet abuse. In addition to that, poor time management and no parents control or
supervision from older people which results in excessive internet.
4.3) Religious Education
Religious education should also be instilled upon the children from young age.
Parents are responsible to provide a basis for moral education and to be the best example to
their children. With the availability of religious education it has become a barrier to the
students present to face the globalized world. There are no short cuts to address the crime
rates and social problems among teenagers but requires the involvement of all parties such as
family, community members, school authorities and government bodies and NGOs.
4.4) Self Control
However, it is all problems related to the misuse of technology starts from the
individual himself. Therefore, we should be aware of it and control our behaviour by
establishing our own goal in life. It all started from our consciousness as a user that does not
violate ethical and do things that does not fit in the usage of technology. This is a form of
prevention which is the most basic level of us. Therefore, in addition to doing prevention for
others and society, we also remind ourselves about the behavior and ethics of technology
utilization. We must start from within ourselves, because if we are not aware all big problems
start from small.

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CONCLUSION
No doubt today that the usage of internet among students is an important requirement.
The sophistication of the network such as the internet should be taken seriously by all parties
to help raise the IT literacy among the public which are comparable with the outside
community. However, bear in mind that without the control of internet social values of
society will be affected. The influence of the internet is new trend among students which is a
phenomenon that should be taken seriously by the society. It is our duty to tackle this
problem together from continuing to destroy the pillar of hope for the future of our country.
To conclude, the usage of internet are among students is much needed because it can
improve the quality of their lives. In addition to that, we are able to build a knowledgeable
society and compete with other foreign students in line with the development of today's
globalized world. However, they need to tighten the control and monitor all walks of life to
be able to contain the negative symptoms which are increasing among students. It is
necessary for all society to assume that the students are an invaluable asset for the country.
Every community are responsible and must work together to combat the negative symptoms.
As a student i strongly agree that the internet will not only give benefit but also be a
source of many problems among the students of today. It is the responsibility of the students
who are able to balance the influence of the internet to be more careful and cautious in
accepting the technology of internet.
(3,607 words)

REFFERENCE
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