THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE PROBLEMATIC INTERNET USAGE AND THE SOCIALIZATION LEVEL AMONG HEARING-IMPAIRED ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

This descriptive study was conducted to identify the factors affecting problematic internet usage and the socialization level among hearing-impaired adolescents. The study has been done with one hundred twenty six (97 males and 29 females) hearing-impaired students, aged between 14 and 21. The data were collected using Turkish Sign Language, by the researcher who received Sign Language Interpretation Training. ‘The Problematic Internet Usage Scale’ and ‘Socialization Level Scale’ were used as assessment instruments. The results showed that level of the problematic internet usage and the socialization of the participants were at a moderate level with mean scores of 83.8±19.8 on the Problematic Internet Usage Scale and 31.9±8.9 on the Socialization Level Scale. As hearing-impaired adolescents are encouraged to use more internet in order to increase their socialization level, risks as; problematic internet use, keeping young people away from society, and social exclusion should be taken into consideration.