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VOL. 7, ISSUE 4 (2022)
Τhe effects of electronic media on adolescence
Authors
Kalliopi Papoutsaki
Abstract
Electronic media are a dominant force in adolescents' lives. There is growing concern that rising rates of electronic media might be associated with emotional and behavioural problems. In this study, we examined associations between subsequent symptoms of attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder, and the electronic media use in adolescents. The participants were 99 adolescents (39 boys and 60 girls), aged from 12 to 18 years old. Internet addiction by adolescents was assessed by the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and the behavioural and emotional problems by using the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment. Parents reported on their adolescent's attention and hyperactivity problems through the Adolescent and Parental assessments of The Attention Deficit Questionnaire. The study showed that the electronic media that are used by adolescents are computers (40.4%), tablets (44.4%), PlayStation (40.4%), Facebook (43.4%). Also, seventy-two (72.7%) of them have an account on social networks. They watch TV 51.5% from 0 to 2 h, while only 1% over 4 h. Most of them (78.8%), use the internet daily, 28.3% use the internet about 6-10 hours and 24.2% use it over 20 hours. Specifically, 20.2% watch videos on YouTube, 14.1% search for school information, 13.1% connect with social media, 12.1% play games, 12.1% look for information on products and services, etc. Eighty respondents (80.8%) were average Internet users, 19 (19.2%) had possible addiction, while no one (0%) had severe addiction. The attention, hyperactivity deficit, and impulsivity were found to have a statistically significant correlation with the social problems. The Positive statistically significant difference was also found between the teens with potential addiction to the internet and the ones with behavioural problems, the increased rule-breaking, the obsession-compulsion, and the post-traumatic stress. Our results suggest that misuse of electronic media may be related to ADHD traits among Greek adolescents. Because of the increasing rates of electronic media use in teens, these results should be taken into account to protect the social and psychological health of adolescents. Future interventions might be more effective if they are targeted at specific types of electronic media use.
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Pages:74-79
How to cite this article:
Kalliopi Papoutsaki "Τhe effects of electronic media on adolescence". International Journal of Multidisciplinary Education and Research, Vol 7, Issue 4, 2022, Pages 74-79
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