Influence of the Use of Video Games, Social Media, and Smartphones on the Development of Digital Competence with Regard to Safety

Abstract

The issue of safety in respect of using technology in education is an issue that deserves particular attention. This research uses a quantitative methodology to explore whether the use made by children of video games, social media, and smartphones in their free time influences the development of digital competence as regards safety. This study was conducted based on a sample of 800 compulsory education phase Spanish students. The results show a relatively low competence level, suggesting the need for digital education as part of the school curriculum so that students can make safe use of digital technologies. According to the findings, while students enjoy playing video games and using certain social media, mainly through smartphones, they are not digitally competent. The results reported for the assessment of digital competence in the safety area are within the basic level and, in general, boys have a higher level of competence than girls, except in the protecting health and protecting the environment competences.