Abstract
BackgroundConcerns have been raised of a potential connection between excessive online activity outside the academic realm and increased levels of psychological distress in young people. Young Minds Matter: the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing provides estimates of the prevalence of online activity and allows an exploration of associations between this activity, a range of mental disorders, socio-demographic characteristics and risk taking behaviour.MethodsBased on a randomized nationally representative sample, a household survey of mental health and wellbeing (Young Minds Matter) was conducted in 2013-14. Interviews were conducted with 6,310 parents and carers of 4–17 year-olds (55 % response rate), together with self-report questionnaires completed by 2,967 11–17 year-olds in these households (89 % response rate). The survey identified a range of mental disorders and emotional problems using a variety of diagnostic tools, with the self-report including questions about use of the Internet and electronic games. Five behaviours were measured related to this activity, with ‘problem behaviour’ being defined as exhibiting at least four out of five behaviours.ResultsLevels of Internet use (98.9 %, CI 98.5–99.3 %) and electronic gaming (85.3 %, CI 83.9–86.6 %) were high, and 3.9 % (CI 3.2–4.6 %) of young people reported problem behaviour. The proportion of girls with very high levels of psychological distress and problem behaviour (41.8 %,CI 28.8–54.9 %) was twice that for boys (19.4 %, CI 7.7–31.1 %). Those engaging with a range of risk factors reported higher prevalence of problem behaviour than others. Youth who suffered from emotional problems or high levels of psychological distress spent the most time online or playing games. Multivariate analysis showed associations with problem behaviour and having attempted suicide, experiencing high to very high levels of psychological distress, using alcohol, and living in a poorly functioning family. It was not possible to determine the direction of the associations.ConclusionThere are links between problem behaviours associated with Internet use and electronic gaming, and mental disorders and risk-taking behaviour in young people. Further studies are required to determine whether these are precursors or sequelae.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3058-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Concerns have been raised of a potential connection between excessive online activity outside the academic realm and increased levels of psychological distress in young people
The pervasiveness of new technology in every facet of young people’s lives has led to a change in cultural ecology and the traditional ways in which they may deal with issues of social isolation, bullying, depression, behavioural disorders, boredom, or family breakdown
Regardless, these associations are cause for concern amongst parents, educators and service providers, with respect to links identified between youth suicide attempts, high levels of psychological distress, and problem behaviour
Summary
Concerns have been raised of a potential connection between excessive online activity outside the academic realm and increased levels of psychological distress in young people. A new pedagogical model has evolved in Australia which incorporates regular computer use into the school curriculum from pre-primary onwards, with 92 % of 5–14 year olds spending time in online educational activities [1]. This adoption of digitalbased learning activities effectively gives children an imprimatur to turn to the Internet as a firsthand source of knowledge and as a ‘legitimate’ way to spend their time. Young Minds Matter: the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2013–14 (i.e. Young Minds Matter - YMM) captured information from a large, nationally representative sample of young people and their parents or carers which included, inter alia, information about their mental disorders, Internet use, electronic gaming, and risk taking behaviour [7]. We present here results from the survey which are related to Internet use and electronic gaming behaviour and its correlates
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