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How Do Adolescents Use Social Networks and What Are Their Potential Dangers? A Qualitative Study of Gender Differences

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  • Giulio de Felice

    (Faculty of Literature and Philosophy, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
    Xenophon College London, University of Chichester, London PO19 6PE, UK)

  • Jessica Burrai

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Emanuela Mari

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Fabrizio Paloni

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Giulia Lausi

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Anna Maria Giannini

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Alessandro Quaglieri

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

The rapid development of software applications and the increasing use of the Internet have raised many questions about the impact of this technology on the lives of adolescents, especially on “digital natives.” The advent of social networks (SNs) restructures their relationships in various ways, affecting both adolescents’ development and mental health. The present study aims to investigate uses and dangers of SNs according to a sample of 296 (166 female and 130 male) Italian middle and high schools adolescents (age range 13–18) and build a model of how SNs can turn out to be dangerous. To achieve this, twenty-four audio-recorded focus groups of Italian male and female adolescents were investigated by a Grounded Theory approach, abstracting from the transcripts the main uses and dangers of SNs and proposing a final model for the interpretation of the whole set of categories. The results highlighted two main dangers of SNs: (a) the desperate search for popularity, and (b) the exhibition of violent or offensive behavior facilitated by the sense of protection and anonymity derived from being hidden behind a virtual account. Finally, a psychological model of how SNs can turn out to be dangerous is presented. This study could be useful in developing prevention procedures against the risks of SNs (e.g., cyberbullying, internet addiction) without demonizing the use of social media as such.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulio de Felice & Jessica Burrai & Emanuela Mari & Fabrizio Paloni & Giulia Lausi & Anna Maria Giannini & Alessandro Quaglieri, 2022. "How Do Adolescents Use Social Networks and What Are Their Potential Dangers? A Qualitative Study of Gender Differences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5691-:d:810352
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Booker, C.L. & Skew, A.J. & Kelly, Y.J. & Sacker, A., 2015. "Media use, sports participation, and well-being in adolescence: Cross-sectional findings from the UK Household Longitudinal Study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(1), pages 173-179.
    2. Jessica Burrai & Benedetta Barchielli & Clarissa Cricenti & Anna Borrelli & Sabina D’Amato & Massimo Santoro & Margherita Vitale & Stefano Ferracuti & Anna Maria Giannini & Alessandro Quaglieri, 2021. "Older Adolescents Who Did or Did Not Experience COVID-19 Symptoms: Associations with Mental Health, Risk Perception and Social Connection," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, May.
    3. Amy Orben & Andrew K. Przybylski, 2019. "The association between adolescent well-being and digital technology use," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 3(2), pages 173-182, February.
    4. Best, Paul & Manktelow, Roger & Taylor, Brian, 2014. "Online communication, social media and adolescent wellbeing: A systematic narrative review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 27-36.
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    1. Nieves Gutiérrez-Ángel & Jesús-Nicasio García-Sánchez & Isabel Mercader-Rubio & Judit García-Martín & Sonia Brito-Costa, 2022. "Digital Competence, Validation and Differential Patterns between Spanish and Portuguese Areas as Assessed from the Latest PISA Report as a Pathway to Sustainable Education and Social Concerns," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-24, October.

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