Love in Cyberspace: Swedish Young People with Intellectual Disabilities and the Internet1

Abstract

The Internet has become an increasingly common way for people to contact each other, to flirt, fall in love and start relationships. How does this development influence today's young people with intellectual disabilities? The article presents a picture of the Internet experiences of some young adults with intellectual disabilities and discusses how others view this usage. It is based on a qualitative study in Sweden where 10 young people with intellectual disabilities and 12 staff members were interviewed. The interviews show that young people with intellectual disabilities also use the Internet, mainly for social and romantic reasons. They view the Internet as a positive arena where they can be ''like everybody else'' and therefore generally present themselves without mentioning their disabilities. However, people around them tend to worry considerably and focus mainly on the risks involved in this usage of the Internet.

From solitude to solicitation: How people with intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder use the internet

“…Adults who were interviewed, in the few studies published, like social networking sites (SNS) particularly for keeping contact with parents and friends, making new friends, and giving and receiving support (Holmes & O'Loughlin, 2012;Löfgren-Mårtenson, 2008;Shpigelman & Gill, 2014). The majority of participants from Shpigelman and Gill's (2014) study also reported finding it easier to make new friends by Internet and being more comfortable communicating online than face to face.…”

“…Furthermore, adults with ID say that the Internet provides them with a (cyber)space where they can escape their parents' or caseworkers' control and be more self-determined. On the Web, they are freer to "go" where they want and make friends with whom they want, unseen by their guardians and caregivers (Löfgren-Mårtenson, 2008). They can describe their activities and express their feelings in blogs or other social media (McClimens & Gordon, 2009;Shpigelman & Gill, 2014).…”

“…People with ID believe that participating in social media, like Facebook (FB), helps them "feel like everybody else" and gain a greater sense of belonging (Kampert & Goreczny, 2007;Löfgren-Mårtenson, 2008;Shpigelman & Gill, 2014). It is thus advisable and possible to increase activity of people with ID in the digital world thanks to support from the people around them (Chadwick, Wesson, & Fullwood, 2013;Seale, 2014).…”

“…Several studies on people with ID highlight risky situations during Internet use, especially social networking sites (Holmes & O'Loughlin, 2012;Löfgren-Mårtenson, 2008;Molin et al, 2015). They mention the combination of a desire to make friends and be liked with a vulnerability to exploitation and violence, a wish to be socially desirable, and a tendency to be agreeable, which are typical of many people (especially women) with ID.…”

The role of supporters in facilitating the use of technologies by adolescents and adults with learning disabilities: a place for positive risk-taking?

“…This is further emphasised when we look at the responses to risk that people with learning disabilities themselves make, compared to their supporters. For example, Lofgren-Martenson (2008) interviewed 10 young people with intellectual disabilities and 12 staff members about their use of the Internet. The results revealed marked differences in risk perceptions.…”