College students’ individual Internet and technology use and communication technology use with parents.

Abstract

College students are known heavy Internet and technology users, though little is known specifically about the newer technologies students are using and how Internet and technology use differs by student and parent demographics. The current study aimed to describe college students’ Internet and other technology use, specifically students’ frequency of online access from various locations, students’ technological device use, and students’ frequency of doing various online activities. As connection to parents is related to college student adjustment, the current study also provides descriptive information about the frequency with which college students use communication technology to communicate with parents and explores how it is related to parent-student relationship quality. Lastly, the relationships between method of communication and reason for communication with parents are examined. Data were collected from college students across the United States using an online survey (N = 390). Results indicate that college students’ Internet and technology use does vary by student and parent factors, particularly student gender and student race. Results also reveal that students are using communication technology to communicate with parents. Frequency of communication with parents on the phone was the most important factor related to parent-student relationship quality. This information can be used to assist student affairs professionals and parents better understand the role of technology in college students’ lives, and particularly for maintaining the parent-student relationship.