Does the use of social networking sites increase children’s risk of harm?

Abstract

Although research findings have been equivocal as to whether the use of social networking sites (SNS) increases experiences of online risk among children, the affordances of SNS lend support to this possibility, attracting much policy and public concern. The present article examines whether the use of such services increases the risks that children and young people encounter by analyzing data from a random stratified sample of approximately 1000 internet-using children aged 9-16 years in each of 25 European countries. Four hypotheses were formulated and tested. The first hypothesis, namely that children who use social networking sites will encounter more risks online than those who do not, is supported by the data. The second hypothesis stated that SNS users with more digital competence will encounter more online risk than those with less competence; this was also supported, despite being counter to common assumptions. Thirdly, we hypothesized that SNS users with more risky SNS practices (e.g. a public profile, displaying identifying information, with a very large number of contacts) will encounter more online risk than those with fewer risky practices: this too was supported by the data; thus what matters for risk is how SNS are used, a useful point for awareness-raising initiatives. The fourth hypothesis stated that SNS users with more digital competence in using the internet will experience less harm associated with online risk. The data did not support this hypothesis, since digital competence did not reduce the probability of children saying that they have been bothered or upset by something on the internet. Finally, the study found that, although this had not been predicted, whether or not risks are experienced as harmful depends on the specific relation between risks and platforms (website, instant messaging, gaming or social networking). We call on future research to explore how particular affordances sustain particular communicative conditions and, in turn, are responded to differently by children. The research and policy implications of the findings are discussed.

Factors Affecting Social Network Use by Students in Indonesia

“…An increase in risk awareness with respect to internet use among children confirmed that preteen age children were aware of risks of personal information disclosure, system security, data stealing, and contact with strangers (Livingstone, 2014;Lwin et al, 2012;W. Shin & Ismail, 2014;Staksrud et al, 2013). Based on these studies, risk is seen as an important construct in the study affected by the influences of parents and peers and having an important effect on the child's attitude to the use of technology.…”

Motivos de uso de las redes sociales virtuales: Análisis de perfiles de mujeres rurales

“…Por otro lado, un amplio número de investigaciones sobre hábitos y experiencias de uso de las TIC se han centrado en poblaciones infantiles y juveniles (Chen, Hsiao, Chern & Chen, 2014;Livingstone & Helsper, 2007;Staksrud, Ólafsson & Livingstone, 2013), pocas en personas adultas (Godfrey & Johnson, 2009;Martinez-Pecino, Delerue & Silva, 2013;Pfeil, Arjan & Zaphiris, 2009), menos en mujeres (Castaño, 2009;Rubio y Escofet, 2013) y menos aún en mujeres de entornos rurales (Falk & Kilpatrick, 2000;Rebollo & Vico, 2014). Algunos informes advierten de las especiales dificultades que afrontan las comunidades rurales (LaRose, Gregg, Strover, Straubhaar & Carpenter, 2007;Novo-Corti, VarelaCandamio & García-Alvarez, 2014) y las personas mayores (Braun, 2013;Dias, 2012) en el acceso y uso de las tecnologías, señalando los múltiples factores que pueden incidir en su exclusión digital.…”

The role of Estonian teachers in the social mediation of children’s internet use

“…Internetiohte kogevad enim teismeeas lapsed, kes kasutavad internetti sagedamini, riskantselt ning kelle digitaalsed oskused on keskmisest paremad (Helweg-Larsen et al, 2012;Soo et al, 2012;Staksrud, Ólafsson, & Livingstone, 2013). Uurimistulemused näitavad, et rohkem saavad seksuaalse sisuga sõnumeid ja on küberkiusamise sihtmärgiks noored, kes suhtlevad sageli jututubades, MSNis või teistes suhtlusvõrgustikes, ning eriti need, kes suhtlevad võõrastega või räägivad seksuaalsetel teemadel (Baumgartner, Valkenburg, & Peter, 2010;De Graaf & Vanwesenbeeck, 2006;Mitchell, Finkelhor, & Wolak, 2001;Mitchell et al, 2007).…”