THE INFLUENCE OF ONLINE GAMES ON STUDENT LEARNING CONCENTRATION AT PANCASAKTI UNIVERSITY TEGAL
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Abstract
The popularity of online games among college students has grown rapidly due to the quick development of digital technology, which may have an impact on their academic behavior, especially on their ability to concentrate when learning. Nowadays, online games are easily accessible through smartphones, computers, and various digital platforms, making them a common form of entertainment among students. While online games can provide relaxation and enjoyment, excessive engagement may influence students’ study habits and academic performance. The purpose of this study is to examine how playing online games affects Pancasakti University Tegal students' ability to focus during class. This study specifically focuses on third-semester students of the English Education Program in the 2025–2026 academic year.
A descriptive quantitative research design was used in this study to obtain objective and measurable results. A closed-ended questionnaire consisting of 24 items measured by a Likert scale was used to gather the data. The questionnaire evaluated several aspects, including students' levels of online gaming intensity, attentiveness during class, study time management, academic focus, self-control, and psychological factors associated with learning motivation. The instrument was distributed to thirty third-semester students who were selected using purposive sampling. To ensure the validity and reliability of the research instrument, the collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods with the assistance of SPSS.
The results show that the majority of students regularly play online games every day. The findings also indicate that excessive online gaming tends to impair students' ability to concentrate during class, particularly when focusing during lectures, organizing study schedules, and completing academic assignments. Many students reported feeling distracted, experiencing shorter attention spans, and showing reduced motivation to study due to excessive gaming activities.
In conclusion, online gaming significantly affects students' ability to maintain concentration while learning. Therefore, students are encouraged to manage their gaming habits responsibly, while lecturers and educators are expected to provide guidance and effective strategies to help students maintain better academic focus and learning discipline.
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References
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