Gender-related consequences of Internet use perceived by parents in a representative quota sample of adolescents

Wartberg L, Kammerl R, Bröning S, Hauenschild M, Petersen KU, Thomasius R (2014)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2014

Journal

Behaviour & Information Technology Taylor & Francis: STM, Behavioural Science and Public Health Titles / Taylor & Francis

Book Volume: 34

Pages Range: 341-348

Journal Issue: 4

URI: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0144929X.2014.928746

DOI: 10.1080/0144929X.2014.928746

Abstract

Only few studies have investigated gender differences in consequences of adolescent Internet use in a general population sample. In this study, we surveyed a representative German quota sample of N=1744 adolescents aged between 14 and 17 years and their caregivers with standardised questionnaires. Parents’ reports showed significant differences between male and female youth in 8 out of 10 problem areas (summarised in a ‘difficulties index’, Cronbach's alpha=0.89) caused by adolescent Internet use. According to parents’ assessment, male adolescents neglected school obligations and friendships outside the Internet more frequently than female adolescents. Compared to girls, boys spent more time and money using the Internet, regarded media use as more important, set wrong priorities in selecting online content, and rather ran into cost traps or legal consequences. More parents of boys than of girls observed adverse effects on adolescents’ physical and mental development. Both parents and adolescents consistently reported excessive media use more frequently for boys. By conducting a multiple linear regression analysis for the full sample, approximately one-third (34%) of the variance in the ‘difficulties index’ was explained by frequency of excessive Internet use. The results highlight the importance of gender-related analyses regarding the consequences of adolescent Internet use.

Authors with CRIS profile

Michaela Kramer

Involved external institutions

Universität Hamburg (UHH) DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Wartberg, L., Kammerl, R., Bröning, S., Hauenschild, M., Petersen, K.-U., & Thomasius, R. (2014). Gender-related consequences of Internet use perceived by parents in a representative quota sample of adolescents. Behaviour & Information Technology, 34(4), 341-348. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2014.928746

MLA:

Wartberg, Lutz, et al. "Gender-related consequences of Internet use perceived by parents in a representative quota sample of adolescents." Behaviour & Information Technology 34.4 (2014): 341-348.

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