Internet usage
For teenagers, the internet is mainly a medium of entertainment, access to culture (music, films, etc.), and a center of social life. It is also a source of many benefits - from broadening knowledge in a specific field to the possibility of creating a personal image or seeking identity. Despite its benefits, the internet is still a source of many threats.Children use the internet mainly to play games, listen to music, and watch movies. Educational services and instant messaging are also popular activities. The most popular social networking sites among children are YouTube and Facebook. When asked about the type of content they post on social media, children often indicated posts, comments, and photos. A significant proportion of them also included pictures of their relatives.
Risks in using the internet
An increasing number of crimes (hacking, intrusions, theft), censorship, limiting access to internet resources, and imposing additional charges for online services dominate among school students' digital fears. The most significant risks from children's use of the internet were inappropriate content (e.g., pornography, violence) and contact with people pretending to be someone else. The biggest threats to children were websites infected with viruses and the negative impact on social relations.Students are aware of the risks they may face on the internet. However, knowledge about the legality of individual actions on the internet varies. Teenagers are the most common victims of abuse, ridicule, and humiliation. In most homes, no rules limit the duration of internet use or regulate the selection of content that teenagers can access.
The majority of parents believe that there is too much violence, sex, and swearing on the internet. One of the most common risks of internet abuse is the FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) effect, which affects an increasing number of young internet users every year.