Youth’s perception of the risk of different online leisure activities

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Author(s): Carcelén-García, Sonia ; Díaz-Bustamante Ventisca, Mónica ; Galmes-Cerezo, María

Journal: Social Sciences

Year Published: 2023

Date Added: August 29, 2023

Youth use the Internet and social media for digital leisure. Certain online activities can be dangerous. This is the case for online gambling, betting, shopping, eGames, and use of social media content. The goal of this study is to identify factors that impact youth's perception of danger in these activities. The results show that all five activities are perceived as dangerous by most young people. Yet, a high number of young people do not perceive risks in online gambling, betting, and eGames. Several behavioural and psychological factors influence risk perception among youth.

Citation: Carcelén-García, S., Díaz-Bustamante Ventisca, M., & Galmes-Cerezo, M. (2023). Young people’s perception of the danger of risky online activities: Behaviours, emotions and attitudes associated with their digital vulnerabilities. Social Sciences, 12(3), 164. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12030164

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12030164

Keywords: betting ; online gambling ; online gaming ; risk perception ; social media ; vulnerability ; young people

Topics: Online Gambling

Conceptual Framework Factors: Exposure - Gambling Setting ; Types - Structural Characteristics ; Exposure - Marketing and Messaging ; Exposure - Accessibility ; Social - Social Demographics ; Psychological - Judgement and Decision Making ; Gambling Exposure ; Social Factors

Study Design: Descriptive: Survey

Geographic Coverage: Spain

Study Population: The study population was 1,500 residents in Spain. Participants were between the ages of 18 and 35. The sample was composed of 49.1% women, 50.6% men, and 0.3% of the participants who did not declare their sex. Additionally, 20.6% of the participants were between the ages of 18 and 21, and 20.6% between 22 and 25. Another 28.1% were between the ages of 26 and 30, and 30.7% were between the ages of 31 and 35.

Sampling Procedure: Participants were selected at random from an online panel through the company Grupo Análisis e Investigación.

Study Funding:

This study was funded by the Madrid Government under the Multiannual Agreement with Universidad Complutense de Madrid in the line Excellence Programme for university teaching staff V PRICIT, and the Ministry of Science Universities and Innovation, co-financed by the European Social Fund.