Abstract
The problematic use of social networking sites is becoming a major public health concern. Previous research has found that adolescents who engage in a problematic use of social networking sites are likely to show maladjustment problems. However, little is known about its links with peer aggression and victimization. The main goal of this study was to analyze the relationship between problematic use of online social networking sites, peer aggression –overt vs. relational and reactive vs. instrumental–, and peer victimization –overt physical and verbal, and relational–, taking into account gender and age (in early and mid-adolescence). Participants were selected using randomized cluster sampling considering school and class as clusters. A battery of instruments was applied to 1,952 adolescents' secondary students from Spain (Andalusia) (50.4% boys), aged 11 to 16 (M = 14.07, SD = 1.39). Results showed that girls and 14–16 adolescents were more involved in a problematic use of online social networking sites. Furthermore, adolescents with high problematic use of online social networking sites were more involved in overt—reactive and instrumental—and relational—reactive and instrumental—aggressive behaviors, and self-reported higher levels of overt—physical and verbal—and relational victimization. Even though boys indicated higher levels of all types of victimization, girls with high problematic use of online social networking sites scored the highest on relational victimization. Relating to age, early adolescents (aged 11–14) with higher problematic use of online social networking sites reported the highest levels of overt verbal and relational victimization. Overall, results suggested the co-occurrence of problematic use of online social networking sites, peer aggression and victimization. In addition, results showed the influence that gender and age had on peer victimization. This study highlights the continuity between offline and online domains with regard to maladjustment problems in adolescence.
Highlights
The use of Internet and Online Social Networking Sites (SNS) is an increasingly popular leisure activity in many countries around the world (Kuss and Griffiths, 2011)
The results of this study allow addressing the extent of the problematic use of SNS in depth and connecting the offline and online settings
Many studies have found that the problematic use of Internet and SNS is associated with other existing adjustment problems such us internalizing symptoms and lower levels of life satisfaction (Caplan, 2010; Marengo et al, 2018)
Summary
The use of Internet and Online Social Networking Sites (SNS) is an increasingly popular leisure activity in many countries around the world (Kuss and Griffiths, 2011). SNS constitute one of the most frequent communication tools among adolescents to establish and maintain new interpersonal relationships, allowing them to participate in social groups (Hearn and Foth, 2007). SNS have replaced other virtual communication tools, such as e-mail and text messages, as well as non-virtual ones (García et al, 2012). In the online domain, characterized by immediacy, anonymity and globalization, adolescents build their identity, strengthen existing social relationships and create new social bonds (MuñozRivas et al, 2003). One of the most attractive features of SNS is precisely the possibility to be an active agent in the process of social interaction beyond geographical proximity (Echeburúa and de Corral, 2010)
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