ERIC Number: EJ1162571
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Dec
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1696-2095
EISSN: N/A
What Are Young People Doing on Internet? Use of ICT, Parental Supervision Strategies and Exposure to Risks
Giménez, Ana M.; Luengo, José A.; Bartrina, M. José
Electronic Journal of Research in Educational Psychology, v15 n3 p533-552 Dec 2017
Introduction: Current research emphasizes young people's access to and use of social networks, chat and WhatsApp. However, this situation is not associated with active parental mediation to protect them from the risks involved. This study analyzes Murcian students' perception of cell phone and computer use, parental mediation strategies and their relation to cyberbullying and problematic use of technologies. Method: The sample was composed of 1914 students between the ages of 11 and 21 years (M = 13.83, SD= 2.03), from primary or secondary public and private schools in the Region of Murcia (Spain). Stratified random sampling was used. Information was collected through a self-report, structured survey. Results: Internet access by cell phone (70%) or computer (99%) was widespread, with 68.9% of students using cell phones and 67.1% using a computer 1-2 hours per day. Moreover, 10-15% of students used technologies more than four hours per day. There were significant gender differences in the time spent using a cell phone, as well as differences by gender and stage of education in what the cell phone or computer was used for. The most common use of both technologies was communicating and relating, using WhatsApp and social networks. Findings showed limited parental supervision; the most common strategies were asking questions and limiting the time allowed online. Significant relations were noted between parental supervision, cyberbullying and behaviors related to problem use of ICT. Discussion and conclusions: Family involvement to guide and supervise young people when connected to ICT is an important factor in protecting them against Internet risks like cyberbullying or cyberaddiction. We underscore the need to reinforce parental supervision so that young people may be able to make more responsible use of ICT and avoid the risks involved.
Descriptors: Internet, Computer Use, Elementary School Students, Secondary School Students, Child Rearing, Handheld Devices, Telecommunications, Bullying, Computer Mediated Communication, Foreign Countries, Gender Differences, Social Media, Child Behavior, Problems, Risk, Student Surveys, Access to Computers, Statistical Analysis
University of Almeria, Education & Psychology I+D+i. Faculty of Psychology Department of Educational and Developmental Psychology, Carretera de Sacramento s/n, 04120 LaCanada de San Urbano, Almeria, Spain. Tel: +34-950-015354; Fax: +34-950-015083; Web site: http://www.investigacion-psicopedagogica.org/index.php
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Spain
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A