Policy Press
Eight Young people online: gender and age influences
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Helen McQuillan
Abstract
This chapter aims to provide insights into both usage patterns and indications of motivations for using digital technologies. It focuses on both commonalities and differences in the integration of digital technologies into European young people’s daily lives and youth cultures. In particular, the chapter asks: to what extent do age and gender differences emerge as critical factors explaining differential adoption and use in terms of motivational access, defined as a varying readiness to engage in different types of online risks as well as online opportunities? In what ways are skills to embrace online opportunities and to cope with online risks influenced by age and gender differences? The chapter also examines whether these differences are just part of life’s rich tapestry or whether they can be considered inequalities that require policy intervention.
Abstract
This chapter aims to provide insights into both usage patterns and indications of motivations for using digital technologies. It focuses on both commonalities and differences in the integration of digital technologies into European young people’s daily lives and youth cultures. In particular, the chapter asks: to what extent do age and gender differences emerge as critical factors explaining differential adoption and use in terms of motivational access, defined as a varying readiness to engage in different types of online risks as well as online opportunities? In what ways are skills to embrace online opportunities and to cope with online risks influenced by age and gender differences? The chapter also examines whether these differences are just part of life’s rich tapestry or whether they can be considered inequalities that require policy intervention.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- Notes on contributors v
- Acknowledgements xvii
- Introduction 1
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Researching European children online
- What we know, what we do not know 19
- Research with children 31
- Opportunities and pitfalls of cross-national research 41
- Cultures of research and policy in Europe 55
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Going online: new opportunities?
- Opportunities and benefits online 71
- Adolescents and social network sites: identity, friendships and privacy 83
- Young people online: gender and age influences 95
- Digital divides 107
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Going online: new risks?
- Risky contacts 123
- Inappropriate content 135
- Problematic conduct: juvenile delinquency on the internet 147
- Children and the internet in the news: agency, voices and agendas 159
- The role of parental mediation in explaining cross-national experiences of risk 173
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Policy implications
- Maximising opportunities and minimising risks for children online 187
- Parental mediation 199
- Making use of ICT for learning in European schools 217
- Media literacy 229
- Conclusion 241
- List of country codes 253
- Children and parents online, by country 254
- The EU Kids Online network 257
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- Notes on contributors v
- Acknowledgements xvii
- Introduction 1
-
Researching European children online
- What we know, what we do not know 19
- Research with children 31
- Opportunities and pitfalls of cross-national research 41
- Cultures of research and policy in Europe 55
-
Going online: new opportunities?
- Opportunities and benefits online 71
- Adolescents and social network sites: identity, friendships and privacy 83
- Young people online: gender and age influences 95
- Digital divides 107
-
Going online: new risks?
- Risky contacts 123
- Inappropriate content 135
- Problematic conduct: juvenile delinquency on the internet 147
- Children and the internet in the news: agency, voices and agendas 159
- The role of parental mediation in explaining cross-national experiences of risk 173
-
Policy implications
- Maximising opportunities and minimising risks for children online 187
- Parental mediation 199
- Making use of ICT for learning in European schools 217
- Media literacy 229
- Conclusion 241
- List of country codes 253
- Children and parents online, by country 254
- The EU Kids Online network 257
