Digital youth: the role of media in development

1. Adolescents' Digital Worlds: An Introduction

Emerging Media: Blurring of the Lines Between Hardware and Content

The World Internet Project

Online Applications and Digital Contexts Used by Adolescents

Social Networking Sites (SNSs)

Text Messaging

Blogs and Microblogs

Online Phoning Applications

Instant Messaging (IM)

Online Gaming

Chat Rooms

Virtual Worlds

Bulletin Boards

Downloading Music and Videos

Characteristics of Digital Communication Environments

Disembodied Users

Anonymity

Text-Based Communication

Self-Disclosure and Disinhibition

Use of Emoticons

Media-Multitasking and Multitasking

Studying Young People's Digital Worlds

Logistical Considerations

Methodological Considerations

Goals and Organization of the Book

References

2. Connecting Online Behavior to Adolescent Development: A Theoretical Framework

Lessons from Developmental Psychology

Changes During Adolescence

Developmental Tasks and Issues

The Role of the Context in Adolescent Development

Digital Media and Adolescent Development

A Theoretical Framework for Conceptualizing Adolescents' Online Behavior: The Co-construction Model

Conclusions

References

3. Sexuality on the Internet: Sexual Exploration, Cybersex, and Pornography

Adolescent Sexuality

Characteristics of Online Environments Relevant to Sexuality

Online Sexual Exploration

Constructing and Presenting Sexual Selves Online

Cybersex: Sexual Conversations Online

Accessing Sexually Explicit Content Online

Sexual Minority Youth and the Internet

Conclusions

References

4. Constructing Identity Online: Identity Exploration and Self-Presentation

Identity During Adolescence

Online Self-Presentation and Virtual Identity

Adolescent's Online Identity Construction

Tools for Online Self-Presentation

Identity Expression and Self-Presentation in Blogs and Homepages

Identity Expression and Self-Presentation in Social Networking Sites

Online Behavior and Identity Status

Ethnic Identity Online

Identity Experiments and Pretending

Virtual Identity

Conclusions

References

5. Intimacy and the Internet: Relationships with Friends, Romantic Partners, and Family Members

Adolescents' Friendships and Peer Group Relationships

Theoretical Background

Online Contexts and Relationships with Offline Friends and Peer Group Members

Benefits and Costs of Interacting Online with Peers

Online Contexts and Relationships with Strangers

Adolescents' Romantic Relationships

Theoretical Background

Online Contexts and Adolescents' Romantic Relationships

How "Real" Are Online Romantic Relationships?

The Role of Culture in Online Romantic Relationships

Adolescent's Relationships Within Their Families

Has Technology Changed Interactions with Family Members?

Impact on Family Relationships

Conclusions

References

6. Digital Worlds and Doing the Right Thing: Morality, Ethics, and Civic Engagement

Morality and Ethics Online

Maintaining Privacy Online

Falsifying Information Online

Stealing and Cheating Online

Cyber Plagiarism

Software Piracy and Illegal Downloading of Digital Content

Political and Civic Engagement Online

The Internet, Youth, and Politics

The Internet, Adolescents, and Civic Engagement

Conclusions

References

7. Internet Use and Well-Being: Physical and Psychological Effects

Understanding the Influence of the Internet

Effects on Physical Well-Being

Direct Effects

Indirect Effects

Effects on Psychological Well-Being

It is Not All About Time

Do Online Activities Matter?

Do User Characteristics Matter?

Short-Term Effects on Well-Being

Effect of Negative Interactions on Well-Being

Conclusions

References

8. Technology and Health: Using the Internet for Wellness and Illness

Adolescents' Use of Online Health Resources

How Much Do Adolescents' Use Online Health Resources?

Health Topics That Adolescents Seek Information About

Adolescents' Health Information Seeking Behaviors

Online Health Resources: Opportunities for Adolescents

Online Health Resources: Challenges for Adolescents

The Internet as a Tool for Treatment Delivery

Conclusions

References

9. When Is It Too Much? Excessive Internet Use and Addictive Behavior

Is the Term "Addiction" Applicable to Internet Use?

Prevalence of Addictive Behavior on the Internet

Identifying Youth Who May Be Addicted to the Internet

Correlates of Addictive Behavior on the Internet

Common Areas of Online Addictive Behavior

Online Games and Addictive Behavior

Cyber Relationship Addictive Behavior

Sexual Compulsive Behavior and Sexual Addictive Behavior on the Internet

Online Gambling

Treatment of Addictive Behavior on the Internet

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Reality Therapy

Conclusions

References

10. The Darker Sides of the Internet: Violence, Cyber Bullying, and Victimization

Effects of Violent Media Content

Violence in Web Sites and Other Online Content

Adolescents and Violence-Themed Web Sites

Adolescents and Online Hate

Violence in Online Games

Adolescents and Violence in Online Games

Aggressive Interactions in Online Contexts

Cyber Bullying

Sexual Solicitation

Conclusions

References

11. Promoting Positive and Safe Digital Worlds: What Parents and Teachers Can Do to Empower Youth

The Role of Government and Industry

Safeguarding Youth from Inappropriate Content

Safeguarding Youth from Online Victimization

The Role of Parents

Safeguarding Youth from Inappropriate Content

Safeguarding Youth from Online Victimization

The Role of Schools

Safeguarding Youth from Inappropriate Content

Safeguarding Youth from Online Victimization

Conclusions

References

12. Adolescents' Digital Worlds: Conclusions and Future Steps

Media in Adolescents' Lives

Understanding the Role of Digital Media in Development

Online and Offline Worlds Are Psychologically Connected

Psychological Connectedness Does Not Mean Identical

Implications of Connectedness for Development

Youth Digital Worlds: Opportunities and Risks

Promoting Positive and Safe Online Digital Worlds

Digital Worlds and Development: Future Steps for Research

References

Index