On The Issue Of Formation Of Behavior Of Adolescents On The Internet

Abstract

The study considers the effect of the Internet resources on adolescents. The positive effect of the Internet on adolescents is revealed, and the negative effect is substantiated. Most teenagers aged 12–15 use the Internet daily, using the Internet from home or mobile networks. 'The Internet is not just something children turn to when they need certain bits of information; it is an integral part of the world in which they live.' The Internet platform can be defined as a dystopian perspective for the future. In most cases, the Internet resources displace other useful activities such as reading, playing sports, communicating with friends and family, and expose adolescents to potentially rough and negative content, sexual and commercial exploitation. On the Internet, adolescents may encounter dangerous content, including violence, aggression, pornography, materials promoting various forms of antisocial behavior, and destructive groups. The Internet has a negative effect since it often changes time usage patterns. In addition, the Internet provides access to online games and social media, which are commonly used by adolescents. Moreover, distribution of the rough content, fake news and inappropriate sexual or violent content on the Internet can have a tremendous effect on the worldview and behavior of adolescents. The authors identify two theories that confirm a negative effect of the Internet on the psychological state of adolescents and their social behavior. The theories of social comparison and cyberbullying are considered.

Keywords: Adolescents, destructive behavior, the Internet

Introduction

At present, the issue of the effect of the Internet resources on the psychological state of adolescents and their behavior is relevant. The Internet is a source of information, communication and entertainment used by most adolescents in the modern world. The UN estimates that 3.5 billion people (47 percent of the world's population) use the Internet worldwide; a third of Internet users are under the age of 18. The younger generation grew up with the Internet and spend most of time on the Internet forgetting about live communication with peers (Kharlamova & Vikhlyaev, 2020).

Most teenagers aged 12–15 use the Internet daily, using the Internet from home or mobile networks. The internet is not just something children turn to when they need certain bits of information; it is an integral part of the world in which they live (RF Government, 2012).

At the same time, the Internet can broadcast both positive and negative content. It cannot be denied that the Internet gives adolescents the opportunity to develop the skills required for a modern teenager and provides new opportunities for communication, self-expression and access to useful information. However, the Internet can be defined as a dystopian perspective for the future. In most cases, the Internet resources displace other useful activities such as reading, playing sports, communicating with friends and family, and expose adolescents to potentially rough and negative content, sexual and commercial exploitation. On the Internet, adolescents may encounter dangerous content, which include violence, aggression, pornography, materials promoting various forms of antisocial behavior, and destructive groups. In this regard, in our opinion, this research topic is currently relevant (Kodzhaspirov et al., 2019).

Problem Statement

The potential negative consequences of online activities and the psychological and emotional well-being of adolescents are of concern among the authorities responsible for protecting adolescents' rights. M.V. Belova, ombudsman under the President of the Russian Federation for the children's rights, noted in one of the interviews that the state's concern is to identify negative groups on the Internet and take measures to block them.

The problem of using the Internet resources by teenagers in modern realities is relevant since it is not only an important component of using time with benefit, but also the effect on their psychological state and behavior.

At present, the Internet is considered by adolescents not as a separate industry, but it affects all spheres of their life.

It should be noted that adolescents can get access to the negative information in a fairly short period of time. This content can negatively affect further psychological development of teenagers and their behavior (in most cases, a destructive behavior). In turn, destructive behavior not only destroys the personality from the inside, but also affects the destruction of external objects of society.

In our opinion, there is a negative relationship between the use of the Internet by adolescents and their stable emotional state and behavior. It should be noted that broadcasting of the negative content on the Internet and formation of destructive groups change the children's worldview, adolescents start exhibiting a worse attitude to study, appearance, friends, and family.

The effect of the Internet on adolescents can be observed by gender. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that social media in Russia are used more often by girls, while both are ready to share their secrets and experiences online, according to the international study HBSC (Health Behavior in School-aged Children) under the auspices of the WHO (Erofeeva, 2018).

The above yield the conclusion that:

First, the Internet can have a negative effect since it changes time usage patterns. At present, adolescents can find the necessary information with a single click of a computer mouse, which helps them do homework and even buy educational works (abstracts, term papers); thereby, they simply stop thinking.

Second, the Internet provides quick access to online games and social media, which are commonly used by adolescents. The Internet can have important positive effects through the development of creativity and social skills. However, it can also have potentially negative consequences, such as addiction and increased chances of exposure to the unwanted content, which can affect further behavior of adolescents. In addition, new activities such as online gaming and streaming entertainment take time needed for educational activities.

Third, the spread of inaccurate content, fake news, and sexual or violent content on the Internet can negatively affect adolescents. The information itself can lead to decreased alertness in both adults and adolescents.

In addition, similar to many adults, teenagers are not aware of the search system operation and have limited knowledge to judge the accuracy and comprehension of online information.

Why does social media have a negative effect on the psychological state of adolescents and their behavior? In this regard, two theories can be distinguished:

1. The social comparison theory, which states that the increased use of social media is associated with more frequent social comparisons, which are more likely to have an upward (negative) direction.

The material that people post on the Internet is selectively idealized versions of their true lives, and young users act naively since they do not understand that matter is not representative.

2. The cyberbullying theory implies that adolescents who spend more time on social media are more likely to be targeted directly by others.

Research Questions

• Behavior formed in adolescents under the effect of the Internet.
• A negative effect of the Internet content on adolescents.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of the study is a theoretical substantiation of the potential risks of the Internet for adolescents in modern realities in order to take preventive measures.

Research Methods

Theoretical methods employed in the study include analysis, synthesis, comparison.

Findings

The Internet can be defined as a dystopian perspective for the future. In most cases, the Internet resources displace other useful activities such as reading, playing sports, communicating with friends and family, and expose adolescents to potentially rough and negative content, sexual and commercial exploitation. On the Internet, adolescents may encounter dangerous content, including violence, aggression, pornography, materials that promote various forms of antisocial behavior, and destructive groups.

The use of the Internet resources by teenagers in modern realities is relevant, since it is not only an important component of spending time with benefit, but it also affect their psychological state and behavior in the future (Sidorkin & Baskakov, 2012).

First, the Internet can have a negative effect primarily due to the fact that it changes time usage patterns. At present, adolescents can find the necessary information with a single click of a computer mouse, which helps them do homework and even buy educational works (abstracts, term papers); thereby, they simply stop thinking.

Second, the Internet provides quick access to online games and social media, which are commonly used by adolescents. The Internet can have important positive effects through the development of creativity and social skills. However, it can also have potentially negative consequences, such as addiction and increased chances of exposure to the unwanted content, which can affect further behavior of adolescents. In addition, new activities such as online gaming and streaming entertainment take time needed for educational activities.

Third, the spread of inaccurate content, fake news, and sexual or violent content on the Internet can negatively affect adolescents. The information itself can lead to decreased alertness in both adults and adolescents.

Conclusion

There are two theories that confirm the negative effect of the Internet on the psychological state of adolescents and their social behavior:

1. The social comparison theory, which states that the increased use of social media is associated with more frequent social comparisons, which are more likely to have an upward (negative) direction.

The material that people post on the Internet is selectively idealized versions of their true lives, and young users act naively since they do not understand that matter is not representative.

2. The cyberbullying theory implies that adolescents who spend more time on social media are more likely to be targeted directly by others.

References

• Erofeeva, M. A. (2018) Representation of gender images of modern students in social networks (on the example of the social network Vkontakte). Human capital 11-2(119), 5661. https://www.elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=36435214

• Kharlamova, D. A., & Vikhlyaev, A. A. (2020). Monitoring of social networks as a way to counteract the involvement of minors in extremist activities and the prevention of delinquent behavior on their part. In: Vneshkolnik, 3336. ANO DPO Academy of Innovative Education and Development.

• Kodzhaspirov, A. Yu., Kodzhaspirova, G. M., Erofeeva, M. A., & Polyakova, L. V. (2019). Formation of the personality of a safe type of behavior among schoolchildren as one of the conditions for comfort of the educational environment. Prospects of science and education, 1(37), 223235. DOI:

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• Sidorkin, V. A., & Baskakov, S. V. (2012). Information security of children in the modern world. Proceedings of the 21st Intern. sci.-tech. conf. Security Systems (pp. 2529). Academy of GPS EMERCOM of Russia