2,590 research outputs found
Parent-child communication about internet use and acceptance of parental authority
Structural equation modeling is applied to investigate how parents' communication with their child about his or her Internet use is linked to the child's acceptance of parental authority in the context of Internet use, and how this in turn is linked to the child's social media behavior. This study surveyed children aged 13 to 18 and their mothers and fathers (N = 357 families) and found that acceptance of parental authority is a key factor in the effectiveness of parental mediation. It is recommended that parental mediation is studied as a dynamic process shaped by both parents and children
Risk eDecisions: Online Behaviour and Decision Making from the iGeneration to the Silver Surfer
Since the inception of the Internet there has been immense growth in the number of internet users worldwide, and the integration of social media in our daily lives has become commonplace for many. Yet, alongside the many benefits of this global connectivity come numerous risks. Research shows that individuals of all ages are exposed to, and engage in, risky activities online, despite numerous campaigns to highlight the perils of risky online behaviour. Although the rates of victimisation increase year-on-year, surprisingly little is known about the psychological mechanisms underlying online risk-taking. The work in this thesis aimed to address this gap in the psychological literature by conducting empirical research focussing on online risky behaviour and decision making across the lifespan.
Four studies, conducted with individuals ranging in age from 13- to 79-years-old, investigated two online risk-taking behaviours, personal information disclosure and friending strangers, within the framework of Fuzzy Trace Theory. A further study investigated the posting of risky and inappropriate content online in British and Italian students, examining the role of self-monitoring and impulsivity. The work in this thesis reveals that Fuzzy Trace Theory is able to predict risk-taking and risk-averse behavioural intentions, and that the retrieval of gist-based, intuitive beliefs and values about online risk reduces risk-taking behaviour and intentions, whereas representing risk in a quantitative-based, verbatim manner leads to increased risk-taking intentions. The ability to reason using gist representations increases with age. Additionally, high self-monitoring was found to predict risky posting behaviour across different cultures.
These findings offer a novel and important contribution to our theoretical and practical knowledge about risky online behaviour, and have the potential to inform the development of more effective online safety intervention programmes
Children of the internet: An investigation into the associations between social media use, gaming, and young people’s mental health
In the context of rapid development of digital technologies and the COVID-19 pandemic, young people are increasingly socialising online. Concerns about time spent on social media and/or gaming are prominent in public discourse. These concerns commonly relate to young people’s mental health, with the suggestion that high levels of social media and gaming use might contribute to poor mental health. However, some research indicates that social media and gaming use is associated with higher social connectedness and social capital. There is a lack of longitudinal research that investigates the relationship between social media use/gaming and mental health and psychosocial outcomes. This longitudinal study aims to explore these relationships in a sample of adolescents aged 11-18, across two time points. Regression analyses are used to explore associations between social media use and measures of depression, social connectedness, and social capital. The same analyses are also used to explore associations between time spent gaming and these variables. Findings indicate that higher social media use in particular is associated with lower social connectedness and higher depressive symptomology, in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Findings for gaming use show weaker associations with depression and social variables
The views and experiences of adolescents with ‘communication and interaction needs’ of using communication technologies: a small-scale qualitative study
Background
Communication technologies can provide children and young people (CYP) with communication and interaction needs novel opportunities for social interactions. Initial studies suggest that communication technologies can provide unique, virtually enabled social opportunities for CYP with communication and interaction needs due to adaptability features and ability of technology to suit unique communicative styles
(van Schalkwyk et al., 2017; Zilka, 2018).
Research Aim
This study explored how adolescents with communication and interaction needs used technology to access social opportunities as well as what types of support they found most useful in regard to online activity. The study adds to current understanding by directly exploring the experiences of 8 adolescents with communication and interaction needs and their own experiences of using communication technologies.
Research design
Descriptive data about participants main reasons for using communication technologies was collated using an online survey. Semi-structured interviews were then used to explore the reported experiences and perceptions of eight adolescents who have identified communication and interaction needs and use technology to socialise. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcripts within each case, and then across the aggregated cases.
Key findings
The findings from this study suggested participants valued the autonomy with which they could participate in social interactions online, as well as the choices they could make related to their own personal interests. Synchronous communication with new and existing friends was important to participants and was viewed as valuable social time. However, increased opportunities for social interaction also presented increased chances of misinterpreting online communication and others’ intent, which related to feelings of upset and instances of cyberbullying. Social support from family members, such as parents and elder siblings, were described to be valuable in dealing with online harm and managing negative experiences effectively. The relevance of such findings and the implications for schools and educational psychologists are considered. The thesis concludes with future directions for study
Facebook and Teenagers: Investigating Changes of Perceived Peer Pressures for Romantic Relationship Involvement Based on Facebook Attachment
Although youth aged 12-17 years old constitute a growing segment of Facebook users, the impact social networking websites may have on their psyche has not been well-studied. Additionally, researchers have not investigated peer pressure as a mediator between individuals overall attachment to Facebook and the desire to be involved in a romantic relationship among teens or adults. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the connection between Facebook attachment and perceived peer pressure, specifically with regard to romantic relationships in individuals aged 14-17 years. Impression management theory served as the theoretical framework. A survey design was used to examine whether study variables (Facebook attachment, perceived peer pressure, and romantic relationship desires) were correlated with one another and whether Facebook attachment served as a mediating variable. Participants (N = 42) completed online surveys comprised of three established surveys that measure levels of perceived peer pressure, interest in romantic relationships, and overall Facebook attachment. Data were examined using correlational analysis. No significant correlations were found between any study variables. Because of the lack of statistical significance, no decisive conclusions can be rendered. Recommendations for future research include the use of different recruitment methods and the updating of assent and consent regulations for psychological research involving minors. The study provides a starting point for future researchers to evaluate the role of social media in adolescent development. Implications for positive social change include a greater awareness of the role of social media in the psychological development of young teens
Exploring vulnerability among children and young people who experience online sexual victimisation
Online grooming and sexual exploitation of children and young people is an increasing concern for parents, internet providers as well as professionals involved in safeguarding children and detecting offenders. The existing literature has reported online grooming processes as well as risk factors that are associated with victimisation and perpetration (O’Connell, 2003; Webster et al., 2012). However, there is little theoretical understanding of risk factors associated with children and young people being vulnerable to online sexual exploitation. The first part of the PhD programme included synthesising and critically appraising literature on: 1) factors that relate to adolescents engaging in risky internet use, 2) victim risk, resilience and protective factors, 3) online groomer characteristics, and 4) the process involved in an adult grooming an adolescent. These systematic reviews identified methodological and theoretical gaps in the literature and influenced the design of the subsequent empirical studies. The first empirical study explored the influence psychological, interpersonal, developmental and behavioural factors had on online sexual soliciation and exploitation. This study used a quantiative approach and collected data from university students using an online survey. The second empirical study adopted a qualitative approach and interviewed law enforcement personnel and professionals who had encountered at least one victim of online sexual exploitation. In addition, 2 victims of online grooming and sexual exploitation were also interviewed. The results highlighted that behavioural (i.e., online and offline risky behaviours), social, interpersonal and psychological factors increased the likelihood of online sexual soliciation and exploitation. This PhD also developed a typology of victims of online sexual exploitation and this includes ‘naïve / curious’, ‘chaotic’ and ‘situational vulnerability’ victims
- …