Researchers ask: How much time do you spend online?

A group of student researchers from the University of Western Sydney are conducting a study of how personality and emotions interact with the online experience.

Dr Jo Milne-Home, from the School of Psychology at UWS, says there are many misconceptions about how much time is 'healthy' to spend on the internet.

"For some people there is a belief that any time spent online is detrimental, while for others the internet is crucial to the success of their work and social life," says Dr Milne-Home.

"This study will look at the ways that people use the internet, and whether it is used constructively or to the level of being excessive and counter-productive."

The 'You and your time online' study will ask participants to participate in a survey, in which they rate the amount of time they spend on the internet, their moods, and their perspectives on life in general.

The anonymous survey responses will be analysed to find out if there is any correlation between internet usage and the personality and emotions of the user.

If you are aged 18 years and older and interested in taking part in the UWS study, visit: www.surveymonkey.com/s/yourtimeonline

The UWS research is being conducted as part of an Empirical Research Project by Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology students William Wykoff, Alex Ruffels, Nelly Cayetano and Sarah Douglas.

Provided by University of Western Sydney