The influence of education on the attitude of students to the Internet 

Sergey G. Ivchenkov, Doctor of sociological sciences, professor of the department of sociology of youth, dean of the faculty of sociology, Saratov State University (83 Astrakhanskaya street, Saratov, Russia), E-mail: ivchenkovsg@mail.ru
Maria S. Ivchenkova, Candidate of sociological sciences, senior researcher, Institute of Sociology of Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (building 5, Krzhizhanovskogo 24/35, Moscow, Russia), E-mail: m.ivchenkova@gmail.com 

Background. Today, the Internet is the most common source of information and communication tool. However, at the same time, students do not treat it equally. The article presents the results of a sociological study conducted by the questionnaire method in Sara-tov in 2023 in order to clarify the factors influencing students’ attitudes and use of the In-ternet. Materials and methods. According to the probability quota sample, 580 students were interviewed by the questionnaire method. The selection criteria are the gender, age, course and training of the respondent at a particular university. The results were processed in SPSS. Results. The study showed that the type of education has a significant impact on students' attitudes towards the Internet. Techies are more likely than others to be attracted to quick access to information. The use of the Internet for study and work is most often observed among students of technical and economic specialties. They are more likely to use it for entertainment. But they are also more likely than others to be dissatisfied with the presence of unreliable information and the abundance of advertising. Humanitarians are the most likely to use the Internet to communicate. Natural science students are more likely than others to search for information. But they are more likely than others to be repelled by the threat of the spread of computer viruses and fraud. Economists are more attracted than others to the ease of use of the Internet. They, like “naturalistsˮ, are more often than others attracted by new opportunities for work, study, as well as the possibility of remote purchas-es and payment of bills. Conclusions. Quick access to information remains the main attrac-tion of the Internet for all students, except for the 4th year. In the 4th year, students are most attracted to ease of use. With the increase in the course of study of students, the im-portance of ease of use, the opportunity for work, study and remote shopping, paying bills increases. At the same time, the importance of wide opportunities for communication be-tween people is decreasing. The prevailing opinion among students is that the Internet is a necessity for a modern student. This is especially insisted on by 2nd year students. 1st year students are more likely than others to see it as a means of self-education and distance learning. Third-year students are more likely than others to perceive it as a means of ful-filling their needs. 4th year students more often than others talked about it as a way to earn money. The attitude of the dominant opinion of students about the Internet as a necessity was especially insisted on by the students of SSLA. Students with SSTU more often than others perceive it as a means of fulfilling their needs or a means of self-education and dis-tance learning. Only SSU students said that everything is important to them and that the Internet is their life. 

students, Internet, education profile, course, university 

Ivchenkov S.G., Ivchenkova M.S. The influence of education on the attitude of students to the Internet. Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Povolzhskiy region. Obshchestvennye nauki = University proceedings. Volga region. Social sciences. 2023;(4):17–31. (In Russ.). doi: 10.21685/2072-3016-2023-4-2