Maladaptive use of ICT in adolescence: Profiles, supervision and technological stress

Abstract

ICT use during adolescence is now commonplace. Its power of attraction and the vulnerable condition of adolescents are giving rise to growing concern, aggravated by the imminent consequences of such synergy. In order to deepen understanding of this relationship, the following research objectives were formulated: a) Analyze the frequency of ICT use; b) Examine family supervision; c) Identify stress associated with the use of ICTs; d) Establish profiles of ICT use. The sample consisted of 1,101 adolescents of 10 educational centers in Southeastern Spain. A descriptive analysis was performed and contingency tables, Chi Square, Cramer V, hierarchical cluster analysis and one-factor ANOVA were used. The results show that more than 60% of adolescents use ICTs without supervision and that 1 out of 3 feel stressed in the absence of the Internet. In addition, statistically significant relationships were found between the frequency of ICT use and stress, as well as with family supervision. A solution of three groups or profiles of use was obtained. 45% of the subjects display maladaptive use or signs of it. The study concludes by stressing that the relationship between adolescents and ICTs is far from ideal and warns of the urgent need to train adolescents and parents in the responsible use of ICTs. El uso de las TIC durante la adolescencia es un hecho normalizado en la actualidad. Su poder de atracción y la condición de vulnerabilidad de los púberes están suscitando una creciente preocupación, agravada por las consecuencias inminentes de tal sinergia. Con la finalidad de profundizar en esta relación, se formulan los siguientes objetivos de investigación: a) Analizar la frecuencia de uso de las TIC; b) Examinar la supervisión familiar; c) Identificar estrés asociado al uso de las TIC; d) Establecer perfiles de uso de las TIC. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 1.101 adolescentes de 10 centros educativos del Sureste Español. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y se emplearon tablas de contingencia, Chi Cuadrado, V de Cramer, análisis de clúster jerárquico y ANOVA de un factor. Los resultados arrojan que más del 60% de los adolescentes usa las TIC sin supervisión y que uno de cada tres se siente estresado ante la ausencia de Internet. Además, se encontraron relaciones estadísticamente significativas entre la frecuencia de uso de las TIC y el estrés, así como con la supervisión familiar. Se obtuvo una solución de tres grupos o perfiles de uso. El 45% de los sujetos tiene un uso desadaptado o indicios del mismo. Se concluye subrayando que la relación entre adolescentes y TIC dista mucho de la deseada y se alerta de la imperiosa necesidad de formar a adolescentes y a progenitores en el uso responsable de las TIC.

Profiles of Mobile Phone Problem Use in Bullying and Cyberbullying Among Adolescents

“…Similar to our study, Carbonell et al (2012a) showed the existence of three clusters for problematic mobile phone use via the CERM, based on low, moderate or high scores for participants between 11 and 25 year old. Similarly, Díaz-López et al (2020) showed the existence of three clusters based on the more or less adapted profile of ICT. In our study, we have shown evidence of three different conflict clusters regarding the use of mobile phones and inappropriate emotional and communication patterns, instead of taking them as one.…”

“…Additionally, social networks utilized via a mobile phone constitute a form of social interaction, allowing dynamic exchange and for users to expand their usual communication and emotional expression. Users can share feelings, opinions, and sometimes commit misconduct (doing and saying different things, including those not said in person) (Cornejo and Tapia, 2011;Fernández-Sánchez, 2013;Serrano-Puche, 2016;Díaz-López et al, 2020). Hence, mobile phone usage may damage interpersonal relationships (Lee et al, 2014).…”

“…Thus, the intensive use of mobile phones amongst adolescents has been associated with drug use, poor academic performance, low self-esteem, and poor social relations ( Echeburúa and de Corral, 2010 ; Livingstone and Smith, 2014 ; Muñoz-Miralles et al, 2016 ); impulsivity, anxiety, and stress ( De Sola-Gutiérrez et al, 2016 ); greater emotional mismatch ( Amendola et al, 2019 ) and low family cohesion ( Muñoz-Miralles et al, 2016 ; Santana-Vega et al, 2019 ). Teenagers above all, utilize mobile phones in recreational or communicative manners (surfing the internet, social networks, listening to music or collective fun) and rendering the mobile phone as a source of evasion, distraction, anger control or anxiety ( Echeburúa and de Corral, 2010 ; Moral and Suárez, 2016 ; Díaz-López et al, 2020 ). Young teenagers show an inability to disconnect or turn off mobile phones that, consequently, reduces sleep, increases worry and anxiety, and is associated with a greater fear of missing out (or FOMO) on sharing experiences with others – which in turn increases the desire to use mobile phones more often (to feel connected) associated with psychological reasons leading to increases and problematic mobile use ( Gil et al, 2015 ; Santana-Vega et al, 2019 ).…”

Profiles of Problematic Internet Use in Bullying and Cyberbullying among Adolescents

“…This study allowed us to examine the existence of four profiles of different types of conflicts related to internet use (intrapersonal and interpersonal), similar to the four profiles of internet use (from non-problematic use to severe problematic use) evidenced in studies on problematic internet use [ 51 ]. Previous studies showed the existence of three clusters for problematic internet use on the CERI scale based on low, moderate, or high scores between the ages of 11 and 25 [ 22 , 43 ]. However, we showed four profiles primarily because we differentiated interpersonal and intrapersonal problems rather than taking them as a whole.…”

“…Previous studies have examined clusters or groups for problematic Internet use with the CERI scale, finding low, moderate or high scores among young people aged 11 to 25 years [ 22 , 43 ]. The most maladaptive profile of the students was the one that he made greater use of the Internet, he related to people through the Internet, even abandoning his academic obligations, which caused a decrease in academic performance and even had serious subsequent consequences [ 43 ].…”