This Plain Language Information Statement contains information about the research project. Its purpose is to explain to you the procedures involved in this project so that you can make a fully informed decision regarding your participation. Participating in this study is voluntary and at no point in time will you be forced to complete the questionnaire. If you feel the need to withdraw from completing the survey at any point in time, you are free to do so. Consent is implied at the completion of the online survey. Once the plain language statement and consent forms have been read, the participant can begin the survey.



The research study is designed to assess the relationship between social anxiety, introversion/extraversion, self-esteem, self-presentation, gender and problematic internet use.



This research project is open to individuals between the ages of 18-25 years.



The study may not be able to show overt benefits for the individual but it may be able to assist them in improving their use of the internet and not using it as a distraction.



This study could help individuals to become more aware of their specific personality traits, self-esteem levels and how they present themselves in an online forum.



There are minimal risks associated with this research. However, after completing the survey, participants feel anxious about their specific personality traits or the frequency of their days spent using the internet. If you are concerned about your responses to any of the questionnaire items or if you find participation in the project distressing, you can contact the Cairnmillar Institute by calling 9813 3400 between 8am and 6pm Monday through Friday. You can also contact lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids helpline on 1800 55 1800 for free 24 hour telephone counselling.



If you have concerns about the conduct of the research project, you can contact the Secretary to the Ethics Committee whose contact details appear at the end of this form.



If you agree to participate, you will be linked to a questionnaire online with a link to the survey. Information that will be collected in the survey will be about demographics (age, gender), personality (introversion/extraversion), self-esteem, social anxiety and frequency of internet usage.



Overall, the survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes. Most questions require you to tick or circle the most appropriate answer for you. For example, you will be asked to indicate on a 4-point Likert scale how you personally feel, “I feel I do not have much to be proud of”.



Click on the link that has been provided to access the survey. This will then ask for your age and gender. Once this has been filled in, you will be able to complete all the questions provided on the survey.



All responses will remain confidential. All research data will be held in a secure location at Cairnmillar Institute for 5 years and will then be destroyed. This study will be presented as a report as part of the primary investigators Graduate Diploma thesis. Only group results will be reported, hence your confidentiality will remain secure. A brief report of the results will be available to participants upon request of this information.



This study has been approved by the Human Ethics Research Committee at The Cairnmillar Institute and will comply with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, 2007).



If you would like further information regarding this study, if you have any concerns regarding this project, or you wish to withdraw your participation, please contact the research supervisor or myself at any time. If you have any complaints about any aspect of the project, the way it is being conducted or any