Positive Internet use and online civic engagement versus active involvement in selected online risks – how are both connected in adolescents from six European countries?

Abstract

Usage of the Internet by young people has been historically analyzed through two main paradigms: the paradigm of risk, where the Internet has been viewed at large as a factor that endangers young people development; and the paradigm of opportunities, showing the Internet as a potentially positive factor supporting individual and social development. Those two dichotomous approaches are nowadays dismissed and replaced by more nuanced and holistic approach to online engagement of young generation. The article attempts to show critical relationships between engagement of young people in positive versus risk online behaviors. It uses the data from the second wave of large sample taking part in a longitudinal study on online skills in ySkills Horizon research project. The study uses Wave 2. convenient sample (N = 7,107) from six countries (Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal) aged 12-19 years (M = 15.37, SD = 1.36). The results generally show that three selected online risk behaviors (intended viewing cyberhate, intended viewing online harmful content, and incorrect health decisions based on information viewed online) are co-occurring with the level of online civic engagement and the number of online activities. It shows that positive online involvement not clearly protect young people from involvement in serious online risks. From practical perspective, this study results provide useful insights to the methodology of media education, particularly in terms of online risks prevention measures that should also include content concerning online opportunities.