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CYBERPSYCHOLOGY & BEHAVIORVolume 10, Number 1, 2007© Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.DOI: 10.1089/cpb.2006.9985

ICQ (I Seek You) and Adolescents: A Quantitative Study in Hong Kong

W.S. CHEUK, M.Sc. and ZENOBIA C.Y. CHAN, R.N., M.P.H.C., Ph.D.

ABSTRACT

The Hong Kong Government and the education sector encourage the whole population—from toddlers to senior citizens—to utilize information technology, and many do. Yet thereare no studies exploring the patterns of adolescents using ICQ (I seek you) in Asian coun-tries. This study was done in Hong Kong, which has the greatest number of ICQ users. Aquantitative approach was adopted by administering self-constructed questionnaires to thestudents of one high school. One hundred and forty-seven adolescents volunteered to partic-ipate. The key findings of the study are (1) most of the adolescents have been using ICQ for1–4 years; (2) most fit one of two patterns of use: either 2 or 3 days per week, or more than 5days per week; (3) they spend less than 3 h per day on ICQ; (4) the main reasons for using ICQare entertainment, relaxation, and socializing; and (5) parents are concerned about possiblenegative impacts on their children’s academic performance because of using ICQ. Two mainimplications are drawn: proper use of ICQ can minimize parental distress and encourageadolescents to be less sedentary.

INTRODUCTION

THE INTERNET today has changed the lives ofaverage citizens1–3 as much as the telephone4

did in the early 20th century. It has both posi-tive2,5–15 and negative2,6,9,10,13,16,17 effects on its users.It allows for better social relationships, providesentertainment, enhances education, improves in-formation retrieval, and increases users’ skills andconfidence in operating computers.1 Using theInternet for communication is cost-saving as it isnot limited by time and place. Although the Inter-net improves the quality of humans’ lives, overusereduces physical activity, diminishes physical andmental health and limits face-to-face social interac-tion. As users spend more time on their computers,they spend less with family, instead developingon-line relationships.1 E-mailing, web surfing, andusing ICQ (I seek you) are three of the most popular

Internet activities.10,18 ICQ can be defined as amulti-user domain (MUD), and a text-based virtualreality game on the Internet. It allows users to pres-ent themselves as a different person while interact-ing online.9 This “fluidity of identity” gives them afeeling of status and modernity, which may bolstertheir self-esteem.5 In order to explore the level ofICQ usage and its effects on adolescents’ daily lifeand health in Hong Kong, questionnaires wereadministered to 147 students at one high school.

Literature review

ICQ is widely used by Internet users. Accordingto a study conducted by Jupiter Media Metrix,19 in2003 Americans spent over 16.5 billion min, or 105million h, logged into Instant Message Services suchas ICQ. Today there are nearly 110 million ICQ usersall over the world, and it gains one new registration

Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of HongKong, Hong Kong.

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every second. It is both a cause and effect of global-ization.20 The highest concentration of users in Asiais found in Hong Kong.21 Rapid Internet develop-ment in Hong Kong started in the 1990s, and ac-cording to the Hong Kong Year Book in 2003,22 over52% of households with personal computers athome (6.7 million of the population) connected tothe Internet in 2002.

Amongst household members, nearly 50% of peo-ple aged 10 and over subscribe to an Internet ser-vice.22 Home computers and the Internet play a vitalrole in an adolescent’s growth.7 Adolescents, whoare emotionally open to ICQ, are innovative, inves-tigative, independent, confident and preoccupiedwith maturity.9 They use this technology to escapefrom reality (i.e., personal problems and depres-sion).8,9 Their physical, mental and social develop-ment, as well as family relationships, are affected.1

Time spent resting, pursuing physical activities,doing academic work, and with family is reduced.

In Hong Kong, a few studies6,7,9,12 were con-ducted on adolescents and their Internet activities.The only ICQ-related research was conducted by alocal youth organization, Breakthrough, in 2000; itrevealed that over 40% of adolescents use ICQ.10

The predatory practices of many users is a seriousproblem, as ICQ offers an easy method of proposi-tioning or sexually harassing other users. Extensiveusage may harm students’ academic performance.They may suffer the harmful effects of sleep distur-bance, depression, and even withdrawal symptomsin association with excessive time spent online.13

Problems such as loneliness and alienation20 seemto be related to Internet addiction.

The term “Internet addiction” is used to describeproblematic, excessive, or maladaptive use of theInternet.23–28 Internet addiction is defined as stay-ing online for pleasure averaging 12 h or more perweek, mainly in chat rooms.28 Spending too muchtime online could lead to a clinically diagnosabledisorder,7 and to a decline in communication withfamily members, a shrinking social circle, and in-creased depression and loneliness.1 It is importantto note that being emotionally open on the Net and aheavy user of ICQ are most influential in predictingproblematic use of the Internet.7 Internet addiction isnot a problem that can be solved by technology orpolicies alone. This new societal challenge is bestaddressed through education. Only when parentsand teachers recognize Internet addiction as a truedisorder and are offered ways to combat it, can thischallenge be met.

Some studies5,8,15 point out the benefit of in-creased skills and confidence in using computers.Adolescents often use ICQ not only to keep up with

those with whom they have existing relationships,but also to develop new relationships on-line.1

Family relationships may be affected by this, in asudden and unpredictable manner.

Mostly, ICQ is an easy and effective way to com-municate. However, like other technological inven-tions, there are disadvantages. Users are able tomeet others from different places, and it is notrestricted by place and time. However, users canpresent themselves in any way they wish. Parents,teachers, policy makers and adolescents worryabout cyberdating.45 There have been recent reportsof people using ICQ to make friends with adoles-cents. They develop relationships and evolve intosexual criminals. Other relationships started throughICQ are usually short-term. This so-called “easy-come/easy-go” approach to relationships influencesthe development of adolescents. It provides anothersexual channel to adolescents who are not matureenough to handle it. However, positive effects—suchas coherence among friends and family, discussionof academic studies, and emotional support—alsoexist, and are often ignored.

METHODS

Participants

Participants were recruited from among sec-ondary students in Hong Kong. There are sevenforms in secondary schools: Form One (GradeSeven) to Form Seven. Form Five, Six, and Sevenstudents have to prepare for public examinations.Form One, Two, and Three students have less ex-perience using ICQ. Form Four students weretherefore invited to participate in this study. Thesample size was 147. As this study explored pat-terns of ICQ use, all socio-economic data such asgender, age, family background, income, and reli-gion was excluded. Since the recruited school is aco-educational secondary school, the number ofmale and female participants was balanced.

Materials

The self-constructed questionnaires (Appendix)referenced from Leung’s studies6,7,9,12 and Break-through’s study10 were used to collect data. Therewere eight questions. The first, sixth and eightquestions had only “Yes/No” options. The second,third and fourth ones offered a selection of differ-ent intensities. The fifth and seventh questions of-fered multiple responses, which were consideredmore than one answer. Question (Q) 1 revealedwhether the participants had experience using ICQ

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or not (even just one use was considered experi-ence). Q2 concerned years of experience and ana-lyzed when the participants started to use ICQ. Q3and Q4 were about patterns of use (days andhours), and reveal level of Internet addiction, if any.

One of the criteria of Internet addiction is over 12 hof use per week. However Internet addiction is notso simply defined. It is related to the psychologicaland behavioral consequences, such as control disor-der. This study did not focus on Internet addiction,but rather on patterns of ICQ use. The purposes andeffects of using ICQ were indicated from Q5, Q6, andQ7. These included affection, entertainment, relax-ation, fashion, socialization, escape and others. It didnot separate the purposes into beginning and laterstages. Since the participants had different numbersof years using ICQ, the purposes varied amongthem. It was assumed the participants indicated theirreasons for using it at present. Some participantshave more than one purpose, and could indicate thatin their answer. Q6 and Q7 were about the effects ofusing ICQ. The participants could indicate whetherthere are/were effect(s) of using ICQ or not. Theycould also express their opinion in Q7 about theseeffects: academic, extra curricular activities, friend-ship, family relationship and others. Participantsmight choose more than one answer in Q7. Q8 askedabout interest in future studies.

Procedures

The data collection process was performed inNovember 2004. A briefing session about the studywas given to all Form Four students at a morningassembly. The aims and methods of the researchwere described and explained. The self-constructedquestionnaires (Appendix) were distributed to allForm Four students. The students who were absenton that day were encouraged to fill in question-naires when they returned to school. However,these were not analyzed because confounding fac-tors might have been present.

Ethics

The university’s ethical approval guidelines werefollowed in regard to data collection. As Marshalland Rossman30 stressed, ethical considerationsrequire that participants’ anonymity be protected.No names or other means of identification wererequested. Because the participants were secondarystudents, the school principal’s consent was sought,and obtained, before the study started. The name ofthe school is not revealed in the study for increasedconfidentiality.

RESULTS

Table 1 shows that most of the participants arefamiliar with using ICQ and have years of experi-ence. Their usage patterns show that they are notheavy daily users. They consider ICQ a means ofentertainment, relaxation and socialization, andtheir academic studies and friendships are affectedby using ICQ.

Table 1 also shows that 97% of the participantshave used ICQ, proving that its use is very commonamong adolescents.10,19,21 Most of them started usingICQ during Primary Six or the Junior Forms (FormOne to Form Three) of secondary school. Seventy-sixpercent (n � 145) have used ICQ for 1–4 years.Adolescence refers to the period of rapid growthfrom childhood to adulthood, a time during whichthey come to terms with new feelings and attitudesas well as physical growth. It is also the time when aperson’s individual identity becomes established.Adolescents often try to establish their identitiesby challenging accepted ways of behavior.13,31

Rapid technology changes have tremendous im-pact on their lives.33,18 There were two different

TABLE 1. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SAMPLE

BY PERCENTAGES

Variables Percentages

ICQ experienceYes 97No 3

Years of using ICQ�1 y 101–2 y 202–3 y 303–4 y 264–5 y 9�5 y 5

Time (days) spent using ICQ per week�1 d 121–2 d 112–3 d 213–4 d 134–5 d 17�5 d 26

Time (hours) spent using ICQ per day�1 h 281–2 h 282–3 h 233–4 h 94–5 h 7�5 h 5

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main patterns of use among the participants. Onegroup, about 38% of participants, used ICQ morethan 5 days per week. Another group, about 30%,used ICQ 2 or 3 days per week. It is interesting thatthese two patterns dominate. The heavy-use groupmay be classified as Internet or ICQ addicted.

The term “Internet addiction” has been usedsince the 1990s. In Western countries, a number ofstudies were conducted into Internet addic-tion.26–28,34–38 Young26–28 and Griffiths38 contributedmuch in this field. Young26,27 designed the famousInternet Addiction Test (IAT), which provided abase for further research. In Asia, scholars con-ducted related research.7,37,39–43 Areas studied in-cluded India,37 Korea,39 Taiwan,40–42 and HongKong.8,45 In Hong Kong, Leung6,7,9,12 examinedcomputer use, the Internet, and Internet addiction.Internet addiction is described as problematic, ex-cessive, or maladaptive use of the Internet.25–27

Young28 defines it as spending �38 h per week on-line for pleasure, largely in chat rooms.24 However,daily use patterns should not be ignored. In thisstudy, 79% of the participants use ICQ less than 3 hper day. Most of the participants would not meetthe simple criteria of 38 h per week. Only 5% ofthe participants, who use ICQ more than 5 h perday, might be classified as addicted. However,those heavy users might not use ICQ every day.Their total weekly usage might not exceed 38 h,and they might be signed in, but not actively chat-ting. They might just leave their connection openwhile they watch television, for example. The rea-sons for using ICQ are significant in understandingusage patterns.

In the study, the purposes of using ICQ echothose identified by Leung (i.e., affection, entertain-ment, relaxation, fashion, socialization, escape, andothers).5–7 Table 2 showed that most users turn toICQ for entertainment (27%), relaxation (23%) andsocialization (23%). These results differ slightlyfrom Leung’s. 6 According to his study, the order ofimportance among these purposes is affection,entertainment, relaxation, fashion and so on. Thepurposes of entertainment and relaxation carry thesame significance, but affection and fashion be-come less important. One of the reasons may berelated to sampling. The participants in Leung’s2001 study6 were university students. Since then,the number of ICQ users has increased dramati-cally, especially among younger adolescents. In thisstudy, done three years later, the participants weresecondary school students, which might explainthe difference. Only 4% named fashion as their pri-mary reason for using ICQ, and only a small num-ber of participants use ICQ as an escape from daily

routines (1%). Conversely, the selection of ‘other’was 8%, indicating that other reasons for using ICQhave emerged. Since the initial version of ICQ wasreleased, the software has been upgraded with newfunctions such as transferring files, interactive minigames and video chatting, making ICQ more at-tractive and powerful. Therefore, the order of grati-fication has changed.

In regard to the effects of using ICQ, the designof this study is based on previous studies.10,11 Thisstudy inquired into the effects of ICQ use on ado-lescents’ academic performance, participation inextracurricular activities, friendships, family rela-tionships and others. Table 2 shows that partici-pants thought using ICQ has an effect on theiracademic performance (38%) and friendships (26%).It is not an exaggeration to say that the schoolingprocess in Hong Kong is mainly driven by theexamination system.44 Using ICQ may affect one’sacademic results, but whether the effects are posi-tive or negative cannot be understood from theself-constructive questionnaires. If they use ICQ foracademic issues, such as discussion of homework,the effect is positive. Another area affected isfriendship. Participants treat ICQ as a communica-tion tool that is as important as the telephone. Theycan contact their current friends on ICQ, but canalso make new ones. As far as meeting strangers onICQ, adults worry that young adolescents are notmature enough to handle this, and may be harmed.Parents also worry that family relationships are

TABLE 2. PURPOSE AND EFFECTS OF USING ICQ BY PERCENTAGES

Variable Percentages

Purposes of using ICQAffection 12Entertainment 27Relaxation 25Fashion 4Socialization 23Escape 1Other 8

Any effect(s) from using ICQYes 34No 66

Effects from using ICQAcademic 38Extracurricular activities 17Friendship 26Family relationships 12Others 7

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affected, because time spent with family is reducedwhen their children spend time using ICQ. How-ever, this study’s participants did not think so. Only12% saw any effect on family relationships—lessthan the impact on extracurricular activities, whichwas 17%. The impact of these effects also might beeither positive or negative.

DISCUSSION

Limitations of this study should be noted. Nocomparison across ages can be observed because allparticipants were Form Four students (aged 15 or16). Though most of the participants started usingICQ at 11 or 12 years old, it is not clear from thestudy whether adolescents at these ages are morelikely to be attracted to ICQ. One of the researchersis also a teacher at the participants’ school, whichmight influence reliability, as participants mighthave answered according to what they thoughtthe teacher would find favorable. Although theresearcher emphasized that there would be noconsequences for answering the questionnaire, stu-dents might still have been anxious about theirimage. Having the school serve as the research fieldmight have heightened this effect. Other researchmethods such as participatory observation, focusgroups and document analysis would be useful ininvestigating the effects of ICQ on adolescents.

This study explored ICQ usage patterns via aself-constructed questionnaire. However, the resultscannot be generalized since the sample size is notrepresentative. All participants were recruited fromone secondary school in Kowloon (Hong Kong in-cludes New Territories, Kowloon, and Hong KongIsland). There are geographical, socio-economic andage factors that affect the research results. People liv-ing in the New Territories and on Hong Kong Islandare busy with other entertainments. They use ICQless when compared with those living in Kowloon.Thus, location is also a factor that affects ICQ use. Allparticipants are from a similar socio-economic back-ground. They may be representative only of adoles-cents of the same age, living in the East district ofKowloon or Kwun Tong District.

A summary of the rapid growth of computer andInternet use was constructed from the Hong KongYear Books45 (1997–2003) and is shown in Table 3.This table shows that 60% of households used com-puters to connect to the Internet and 68% of thepopulation as a whole were computer users in2003. The growth was dramatic, especially amongyoung adolescents, as the current study points out:a mere 2 years later, 97% of one secondary school’s

Form Four students are found to be using ICQ. Thespread of ICQ usage has been rapid, as confirmedwhen compared with a report published by Break-through10 in 2000, which showed that 40% of adoles-cents use ICQ. The Internet is no longer a privilegereserved for middle or late adolescents. The trendhas expanded to include early adolescents.

Adolescents not only chat on ICQ, but alsorelax there. However, there are negative ef-fects2,6,9,10,13,16,17 of using ICQ. Users sit in front ofcomputer screens, sometimes for hours, beforegoing to bed at midnight. Sleep patterns may bedisturbed.13 Some positive effects of using ICQ wasfound. For example, adolescents become more per-ceptive of others and form more realistic impres-sions of them.31 They are eager to communicatewith their friends and make new ones in ICQ.1

They also need to socialize.2,5–15 Adolescents aged10–15 are in the third stage of Selman’s Five Stagesof Social Perspective Taking.31 In this stage, they areable to step outside their own viewpoints and thoseof others, and assume the perspective of a neutralthird person. Thus, friendships become more thanmutual back-scratching, and conflicts may beviewed in terms of mutual differences.31

CONCLUSION

This study filled some knowledge gaps left byprevious studies mentioned in the literature re-view. Its results show that adolescents do not useICQ for affection, fashion or escape. They do notdisclose themselves deeply in ICQ, nor share theiraffective feelings there. ICQ is not merely a fad forthem. It is as common as using the telephone. SinceICQ is another communication tool, adolescentsuse it to maintain friendships and often do not giveICQ their full attention when logged in; rather, theydo other things at the same time, such as watchingtelevision. Negative interpretations and parentalworries about adolescents using ICQ should be

112 CHEUK AND CHAN

TABLE 3. SUMMARY OF COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE

Yearitems Computer Internet

1997 Nil Nil1998 Nil Nil1999 Nil 25%2000 Nil 33% (dial-up)2001 60% 30% (dial-up);

9% (broadband)2002 62% 53%2003 68% 60%

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minimized. Positive effects, such as using ICQ foracademic purposes, should be noted, as a balancedperspective can help avoid unnecessary adolescent-adult conflict based on different views of the relativeusefulness or harmfulness of ICQ.

APPENDIX

Questionnaire

School: a secondary school in Kowloon EastParticipants: Form Four Students

Class: Date:

Please circle your answer.

1. Have you ever used ICQ (I seek you)?A. Yes B. No

2. How long have you used ICQ?A. �1 year B. 1–2 years C. 2–3 yearsD. 3–4 years E. 4–5 years F. �5 years

3. How many hours do you spend on ICQ per day?A. �1 hour B. 1–2 hours C. 2–3 hoursD. 3–4 hours E. 4–5 hours F. �5 hours

4. How many days do you spend on ICQ per week?A. �1 day B. 1–2 days C. 2–3 daysD. 3–4 days E. 4–5 days F. �5 days

5. What purpose(s) does ICQ serve for you? [Youmay choose more than one answer.]

A. AffectionB. EntertainmentC. RelaxationD. FashionE. SocializationF. EscapeG. Others:

6. Do you think that using ICQ has any effect on you?A. Yes B. No

7. If so, which of the following areas of your lifedoes ICQ affect? (you may choose more thanone answer)

A. Academics B. Extracurricular activitiesC. Friendships D. Family relationshipsE. Other:

8. Would you be interested in participating in fur-ther research on this subject?

A. Yes B. No

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks go to Professor Albert Lee, Direc-tor of the Centre for Health Education and HealthPromotion at The Chinese University of HongKong, for his support of this study. We would also

like to thank our research team members, An-thony Adams, To Ho Yan, and Chau York Chan,for their assistance with this study. Lastly, we aregrateful to the participants who shared their expe-riences with ICQ.

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Address reprint request to:Dr. Zenobia C.Y. Chan

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Faculty of Medicine Chinese University of Hong Kong

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E-mail: zehippo@yahoo.com

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