Social Networks, Emotions, and Education: Design and Validation of e-COM, a Scale of Socio-Emotional Interaction Competencies among Adolescents

Socio-emotional competencies play an essential role in personal development as they are associated with highly prosocial behavior and low aggressiveness. An individual who is online manages his/her emotions in a specific manner. Thus, it is highly relevant to analyze and evaluate online socio-emotional competencies. Until now, however, no instruments had been defined or developed for that purpose. This study’s objective was thus to design and validate a questionnaire for the evaluation of socio-emotional competencies in virtual contexts, and to analyze eventual differences according to gender and academic year. Using the model developed by Bisquerra and Pérez (2007) as a theoretical framework, the competencies posited therein were transferred to an online environment. The questionnaire was filled out by 888 adolescents ages 12 to 17 (48% males, M = 13.83 years old, DT = 1.27), all residents of Aragón, Spain. On the basis of their responses, structure analysis, validation, and reliability were carried out. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) yielded a five-dimensional structure with good fit and internal consistency. The five resulting dimensions evaluate (1) emotional e-conscience, (2) emotional e-autonomy, (3) emotional e-regulation, (4) e-self-control of impulsiveness, and (5) social e-competency. Differences among genders were observed in the categories of emotional e-conscience and social e-competency. Furthermore, the results of this study show that online emotional expression does not imply emotional competency. These results represent an advance in the field of emotional education. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Abuso de Internet y adolescentes: gratificaciones, supervisión familiar y uso responsable. Implicaciones educativas y familiares

Internet tiene un gran potencial educativo y social pero no por ello está exento de riesgos como la tecnoadicción o abuso de la tecnología. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar en qué medida las gratificaciones, la supervisión familiar y su uso responsable influyen en el abuso de Internet y con ello comprender mejor este riesgo en la adolescencia de cara a que docentes y familias puedan establecer estrategias para su prevención. En el estudio participaron 555 adolescentes (55.7% chicos y 44.3 % chicas) de 1º-4º ESO (M: 13. 97 años y SD: 1. 27). Los datos se obtuvieron través de cuestionarios. Los resultados muestran que la evasión es la principal motivación para el abuso digital junto al entretenimiento y el logro digital. El uso responsable y la supervisión familiar juegan un papel protector. Se discuten las diferencias según el género y la edad y las implicaciones educativas para docentes y familias. Internet abuse has become a social problem in adolescence. Previous research suggested that it is related to the gratifications they receive from using it. However, it is unknown whether continued responsible use (netiquette) and family supervision can balance the rewards that promote this risk. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the extent to which gratifications, family supervision and responsible use predict Internet abuse and thereby better understand this risk in adolescence so that teachers and families can establish strategies for its prevention according to the gender and age. 555 adolescents (55.7% boys) from 1st to 4th year of ESO (M: 13. 97 years old and SD: 1.27) participated in the study. The data were obtained through questionnaires. The results reveal that, although mainly entertainment in boys and avoidance in girls promote abuse, educating netiquette is an important protection factor for both genders and all ages, as well as family supervision in girls and boys. in adolescents 12-13 years old. Educational and family implications are discussed