Factors affecting sustainability of internet usage among youth

The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors that affect sustainability of internet usage by Malay youth in Kota Bharu, a rural town in the north east of peninsular Malaysia.

The study used survey research for obtaining data. Some 225 respondents were sampled from the young Malay internet users in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. They were interviewed using a standard questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used to analyse the data. The descriptive statistics included frequency, percentages, means and standard deviation while the inferential statistics included reliability test, computed means and multiple regression.

From the results there is sustainability of internet usage among Malay youth. As far as factors that have positive effects on sustainability of internet usage is concerned, the results of the study showed that interpersonal and social network and perceived and realized benefits have significant positive effects on sustainability of internet usage by Malay youth. The results also showed that issues relating to security concerns and interruptions have significant negative effect on the sustainability of internet usage by Malay youth.

Sustainability of usage has practical implications on the implementation of innovations, especially the internet and ICT related projects.

The paper is the first of its kind on sustainability of internet usage, especially among Malay youth. It contributes to the innovation diffusion process by including sustainability. It determines and measures sustainability.