The present study investigated predictors of problematic Internet use. Undergraduate students (N = 272) completed a self-report questionnaire measuring extraversion, impulsivity, online group membership, frequency of use, and gender as predictors of problematic Internet use. Males and females differed significantly in their use of the Internet, with males significantly more likely to be Gamers than were females, and females significantly more likely to be Workers. Professional users reported significantly less problematic Internet use than nonprofessional users. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that higher frequency of use, lack of perseverance (an aspect of impulsivity), and online group membership significantly predicted problematic Internet use. Given recent concerns about the growth of Internet addiction, this study extends our knowledge of the role played by personality, usage profile, and gender in this developing field of study.

This study investigated the relationship between violent video games and children's mood. A total of 71 children aged 8 to 12 years played a paper-and-pencil game, a nonviolent video game, and a violent video game. Results indicate that arousal, as measured by heart rate and self-reported arousal, increased significantly after playing the violent video game, as compared with the other two game conditions, with girls reporting more arousal than did boys. There was no significant increase in aggressive mood scores for either boys or girls after playing the violent game. Positive mood, as measured by positive affect, showed no significant increases or decreases after playing either video game. However, positive mood, as measured by general mood, showed a significant increase after playing the violent game for both boys and girls, but only as compared with the paper-and-pencil game. Results are interpreted in terms of social learning and cognitive information processing theories of aggression.

Mobile phone aggression (MPA) is a relatively new phenomenon.Using newly developed measures, a pilot study was conducted with 348 adolescents ages 13-17 years to determine the incidence of MPA and victimization in this group of adolescents and to test a proposed model in which hostile response selection mediated the relationship between normative beliefs and MPA. Girls reported more incidences of both MPA and victimization; however, the overall frequencies of these were both relatively low. Path analysis revealed partial support for the hypothesized model, with mobile phone hostile response selection partially mediating the relation between retaliatory normative beliefs about MPA and MPA. Results are considered in relation to future directions for research and implications for intervention.

Regional and rural students in Australia face unique challenges when aspiring to higher education. These challenges reflect systematic disadvantage experienced by rural and regional populations as a whole. In an effort to redress these inequities, and aided by the Australian Government's Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP), the University of Canberra's flagship Aspire UC Schools Outreach Program involves multiple in-school sessions for students in years 7-10. This article presents findings from the delivery of this program to nearly 3000 students in 2012. Increased considerations of post-school study and work options were seen across all year levels and across all options, with greatest increases evident for university aspirations, and by Year 10 students. Moreover, girls exhibited greater positive changes in post-program aspirations than did boys. The program's success is attributed to its depth and intensity and the concomitant recognition of the distinctive nature of rural and regional communities.

A survey was conducted among 692 Australian 13-to 16-year-olds to examine aspects of their Internet use and, in particular, their exposure to inappropriate material and behaviors online and their online safety practices. Significant differences were found in the amount of exposure to inappropriate material or behaviors online according to sex and frequency of usage, with males and more frequent Internet users showing greater exposure. No differences were found according to whether blocking or filtering software was installed. Significant differences in online safety practices were also found, with younger participants (13-to 14-year-olds) and those participants whose parents had not discussed Internet safety with them being less safety conscious.