Abstract

This descriptive study determined the purposes and effects of usage on cyber café users in Manila. It was found that most cyber café users in Manila were male, young, pursuing or attained a college degree, and students (i.e., not working), did not own personal computers and had no Internet access at home, and belonged to middle-income families. Internet connection was the cyber café service most availed. Primarily, they used the Internet for social networking, watching videos, searching information, and sending/reading emails. They used the cyber café services four times a week for about 4.25 hours per visit. Cyber café gamers have been playing strategy/LAN-based/role-playing games for at least 2.5 years. The respondents were satisfied with cyber café services. The purposes of visit of the respondents were varied. Spending free time by simply hanging out in cyber cafés was one of the unique findings of the study. The effects of cyber café usage were on health, responsibilities, relaxation, and socialization. These effects were only consequential, i.e., as a result of the respondents’ decision to use cyber café services excessively. The study called for parental and institutional monitoring and control, but it stressed that self-regulation was the most effective solution.