Critical Analysis of the Risks in the Use of the Internet and Social Networks in Childhood and Adolescence

Núñez-Gómez, Patricia; Larrañaga, Kepa Paul; Rangel, Celia; Mohedano, Félix Ortega

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.683384

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Moreover, it can expose them to people who make them feel insecure, because they feel naked or encounter inappropriate content or behaviour (vulnerability in the virtual space); and it can cause bodily pain or negative feelings (health risks). Our findings, compared to the studies based on an adult point of view, provide information on the broader context in which adolescents have to face to such risks (Núñez-Gómez et al, 2021). They show that adolescents are not only aware of the possible risks of digital technology, but they also have an idea of how technology should work so as not to endanger them.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 52%

“I could do almost nothing without digital technology”: a qualitative exploration of adolescents’ perception of the risks and challenges of digital technology

Bitto Urbanova,

Madarasova Geckova,

Dankulincova Veselska

et al. 2023

Front. Psychol.

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BackgroundThe fast development of digital technology and of its use at even younger ages is significantly shaping the current generation of adolescents. This is leading to an almost unlimited accessibility that provides a large number of opportunities, but also to many challenges that adolescents have to face. The aim of our study was to explore the perceptions adolescents have of the risks of digital technology.MethodsWe conducted online semi-structured interviews as a part of the international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. The sample consisted of 15 Slovak adolescents (mean age: 15.33; 20% boys). To analyse our data, we used consensual qualitative research and thematic analysis.FindingsOur findings confirmed that adolescents are aware of the risks associated with the use of digital technology. Regarding their specific types of the perceived risks, we identified four main themes: 1. dependence on the functionality of technology; 2. problematic control; 3. vulnerability in the virtual environment; 4. health risks. Adolescents thus want technology that is functional, safe and does not endanger their health.ConclusionDespite the fact that adolescents know of the risks they may experience due the digital technology, they still use it. Preventive strategies should focus on functionality, safety and healthiness; furthermore, they should support the constant development of adolescents’ digital awareness and raising their awareness about effective and non-threating use of technology.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 52%

“I could do almost nothing without digital technology”: a qualitative exploration of adolescents’ perception of the risks and challenges of digital technology

Bitto Urbanova,

Madarasova Geckova,

Dankulincova Veselska

et al. 2023

Front. Psychol.

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“…Therefore, attention should be paid to the importance of the problem of social media in the context of incorrect body image. If the problem is large among adult users of social media platforms, the group of children and adolescents may be even more at risk ( 53 ). Unfortunately, there are few studies that can approximate to the magnitude of this problem among children, and thus allow for the design of prevention activities aimed at child caregivers that would help monitor online behavior and allow for the protection of children from negative self-perception.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

#childhoodobesity – A brief literature review of the role of social media in body image shaping and eating patterns among children and adolescents

et al. 2022

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Children’s food preferences are closely related to their parents’ food preferences and knowledge of food is linked to what their parents share with them. Parents, however, are not the only people who model such behavior. Paradoxically, the ubiquitous technological development can also pose a huge threat. In developed countries, 94% of teenagers use social media platforms such as: Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, or TikTok, and this also applies to children. It can therefore be argued that parents’ nutritional preferences and behavior are related to the same behaviors of children and there is an extensive literature on this subject. It is therefore important to check how other factors – new technology (and social media in particular) – can influence changes in this area. A literature search was conducted in the following databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCO in December 2021. After applying all the filters and verification of relevance in terms of the research on the topic of interest to us, 4 articles related to research on body image and social media and 4 articles related to research on food choices and social media among children and adolescents were obtained. The conducted analysis showed that various studies so far indicate that social media can have a very strong influence on the development of eating patterns and body image in children and adolescents, which in turn may be one of the risk factors for developing obesity when promoted behaviors are not associated with a healthy lifestyle. It is also worth pointing out that social media can be used as a resource in the prevention and treatment of obesity. A closer look at this topic seems to be particularly important due to the fact that, among adults, social media is not only a very important source of information about lifestyle, but also a source of social support when people attempting to lose weight. Therefore, by increasing preventive activity in social media and using modern solutions related to social media (including the use of hashtag signs), we can have a greater impact on the health awareness of children and adolescents around the world.

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“…Its positive role is undeniable. However, using the internet, associated with other variables, also brings numerous challenges and potential risks (Fischer-Grote et al, 2019;Fumero et al, 2018;Núñez-Gómez et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dysfunctional risks of the internet and their overlap in the different stages of adolescence

Díaz-López,

Caba-Machado,

Machimbarrena

et al. 2024

Cyberpsychology

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The use of the internet is a normative phenomenon associated with problems for younger people. The dysfunctional risks are those in which there is a problematic use of technologies that generates negative consequences. General Problematic Internet Use (GPIU) is the most prevalent, while Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and Online Gambling Disorder (OGD) are less prevalent, perhaps because they are Clinical problems and notably more severe. They have been widely studied separately but have hardly been examined conjointly and overlappingly. This study employs a sample with a broad age range including participants across the three stages of adolescence (early, middle, and late) and emerging adulthood. The objectives are to analyze: 1) the overall prevalence of GPIU, IGD and OGD; 2) the prevalence of GPIU, IGD and OGD according to the degree of the reported problem; 3) overlap of GPIU, IGD and OGD. These objectives will be carried out according to the variable sex and stages of adolescence. Cross-sectional and analytical study with 7,295 participants aged between 11 and 22 years. Considering risk, 13.8% of the participants had one or more risks; 11.5% presented at least one risk, 9.6% presented GPIU; 2% presented GPIU and IGD together; in only 0.1% did all three risks overlap. Girls present higher prevalence of GPIU, and boys of IGD, OGD and in all the overlaps. There is a general upward trend in middle and late adolescence versus early adolescence in these risks, which decline in emerging adulthood. These data are discussed concerning their importance in psychoeducational prevention and intervention actions.

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Critical Analysis of the Risks in the Use of the Internet and Social Networks in Childhood and Adolescence

Cited by 7 publications

References 20 publications

“I could do almost nothing without digital technology”: a qualitative exploration of adolescents’ perception of the risks and challenges of digital technology

“I could do almost nothing without digital technology”: a qualitative exploration of adolescents’ perception of the risks and challenges of digital technology

#childhoodobesity – A brief literature review of the role of social media in body image shaping and eating patterns among children and adolescents

Dysfunctional risks of the internet and their overlap in the different stages of adolescence

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