How the Internet affects teenagers

The Internet has been established in the lives of many people over the past two decades despite initial concerns that teenagers enter the "unknown." There are a number of risks for teenagers, suggesting that real relationships and friendships would be rejected by cybernetic relationships. But a study carried out by a group of Dutch researchers and published in the journal Current Directions in Psychological Science shows that the psychological advantages of the Internet may be greater than its negative effects . Keep reading to know more.

First approximations

The Internet has become an instrument of social communication due to the growing number of adolescents who use technology at their fingertips. Only a decade ago, only one in ten teenagers had access to the Internet. Therefore, adolescents were forced to choose between real relationships and relationships on the Internet. The researchers said that because of the limited overlap, the adolescents had difficulty maintaining "flesh and blood relationships while exploring cyberspace."

Changes in the paradigm

Now that most Western teenagers have access to the Internet, it has been proven that adolescents use technology to maintain relationships rather than to create new ones. In addition, the emergence of new communication tools helps adolescents to develop more the existing relationships and not to isolate them. Professors Valkenburg and Peter stated that adolescents who used the Internet in the 1990s, normally communicated with foreigners through message exchange channels and multiuser role-playing games (MUD).

New situation

Thus, thanks to the influence of new social communication websites, including MySpace and Facebook, and instant messaging (IM), the situation has changed. More than eight out of ten teenagers use MI to connect with people they see on a daily basis.

Conclusions

ASCoR researchers believe that the Internet provides adolescents with the tools they need to open up and discuss their personal issues : Internet communication gives teens the momentum they need because distractions are minimal . The fewer distractions they have, the less influence they receive from the way people see them, according to professors Valkenburg and Meter. The result reduces inhibition and makes conversations more personal .

To consider

The research also showed that "hyper-personal conversations through the Internet" enhance closer friendships, which leads to feelings of happiness and emotions devoid of stress . It should be borne in mind that the mere fact of "surfing" on the Internet does not have any positive effect on adolescents, especially on their well-being or on their feelings when connecting with other people. Also, talking to foreigners in public chat forums seems to continue to be potentially dangerous .

More data

You can consult the CORDIS (European Union) page for more information on scientific results of all types of research, recent and older.