Abstract

The research was designed to determine the use of internet in Imo state, Nigeria with a view to enlighten societal stakeholders on their implications to development. Self designed questionnaire was distributed to users from five internet centers in the three local government areas of Imo State. 219 (73%) of the 300 distributed questionnaires were found useable on return. The results show that: there was no glaring difference between the female and male users though female users were found among the adults; young adults constituted the highest users; majority of users are unmarried with senior secondary school certificate as highest qualification.; users prefer regular visit and longer browsing hours; reasons for internet use follow the conventional trend including E-mail, academic/research, leisure, employment and e-commerce. It is recommended that: Government should encourage parents to provide internet facilities in their homes to checkmate anti-social behaviour; the society should avert any social barrier discouraging young female adults from maximizing use; Internet centers should regulate web sites accessed by users and government should develop information policy to address social aspect of internet use.

Key words: Internet use, Nigeria, sex, educational level, marital status, Impediments, determinants.