Risky online behavior in relation to social support, depression, and anxiety in Czech adolescents

Abstract

This study examines how risky online behaviors among Czech adolescents relate to social support, depression, and anxiety. The behaviors investigated include sending videos to strangers, receiving explicit content, sharing nude photos, encountering monetary offers for meetings, and exposure to blackmail. A nationwide sample of 1095 adolescents aged 15–19 participated in a paper-pencil survey. The research utilized the Scale of Online Risky Behavior (SORB), the Social Support Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (CASSS-CZ), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) for data collection. Findings indicate the prevalence of risky online behavior: 10.8% of participants reported sending videos, 34.5% received explicit content, 11.3% shared nude photos, 9.2% encountered monetary offers for meetings, and 12.3% experienced online blackmail, with higher rates observed in females. Anxiety and depression were consistently linked to an increased likelihood of engaging in all types of risky online behavior. Parental support was negatively associated with the likelihood of sending a video of oneself to a stranger and receiving video with inappropriate sexual content, while support from friends showed no significant relationship with any risky behavior. Further research is needed to understand factors influencing risky online behavior.

Keywords

• Risky online behavior
• Parental social support
• Friends social support
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Adolescence