Cyber Risks Awaiting Children and Young People in the 21st Century

Abstract

Nowadays, with the rapid development of information and communication technologies, smart phones, tablets, computers and the Internet, which are defined as digital media tools, have become indispensable and essential tools in our daily life practices. Children and young people have adapted themselves to this digitalization period more quickly than adults, and perform a high level of frequency of use. While digitalization offers children and young people a liberating way to expand their learning opportunities, access information, express themselves, and maintain social connections with family/friends, it also poses threats coming from the dangerous and dark side of the digital environment. The present study aims to examine the risks of digital applications for children and young people, what the cyber risks that result in bullying and victimization are, and the effects of exposure to these cyber risks on mental health. Raising the awareness of parents, educators and mental health professionals will contribute to develop and apply the protective and preventive mental health approaches for children and young people.

Keywords

• children
• youth
• digitalization
• cyber risks