Sexting in adolescence: The use of technology and parental supervision

Sexting en la adolescencia: uso de la tecnología y supervisión parental

Paula Yépez-Tito , Marta Ferragut , María J. Blanca
Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología, (2020), 52, pp. 115-130.
Received 23 September 2019
Accepted 28 April 2020

doi: https://doi.org/10.14349/rlp.2020.v52.12

Resumen

El sexting es una conducta de riesgo que se está incrementando en la adolescencia. La investigación en países latinoamericanos es escasa. Este estudio analiza el sexting relacionado con el uso de la tecnología, comunicación con iguales y familia, y supervisión parental, incluyendo el género y la edad en adolescentes ecuatorianos. Una muestra de 613 adolescentes (12-18 años) de Quito (Ecuador) cumplimentaron cuestionarios sobre sexting, uso de la tecnología y supervisión parental. El perfil del practicante de sexting es el adolescente que usa más el teléfono móvil, principalmente, para comunicarse con los iguales, y también internet y redes sociales. El control parental no se asocia a menor práctica del sexting. Este perfil no varía según el género o etapa de la adolescencia, aunque los chicos y adolescentes mayores muestran mayor implicación en sexting. Las chicas usan más Instagram y Snapchat y el teléfono móvil para relacionarse con los iguales. El uso de la tecnología es mayor en la adolescencia media y tardía y la supervisión parental disminuye a medida que incrementa la edad. El sexting está relacionado con mayor uso de la tecnología, principalmente, para relacionarse con los iguales, y la supervisión parental restrictiva no mitiga esta práctica. Se discuten las implicaciones educativas.

Palabras clave:
Redes sociales, internet, control parental, teléfono móvil, relaciones con los iguales, adolescentes

Abstract

Sexting is a risky behaviour that is becoming increasingly common among adolescents. There has been little research in Latin American countries. This study analyses sexting in relation to technology use, peer and family connectedness, and parental supervision in Ecuadorian adolescents, examining gender and age differences. A sample of 613 adolescents (12-18 years old) from Quito (Ecuador) completed a questionnaire about sexting, technology use, and parental supervision. The results show that the typical profile of a sexting practitioner is an adolescent who spends a lot of time using a mobile phone, mainly for peer engagement, and who also makes greater use of the internet and social networks. Parental control does not appear to be a key factor in relation to sexting. The typical profile did not differ across gender or stage of adolescence, although boys and older adolescents were more involved in sexting. Girls used Instagram and Snapchat more, and they also used their mobile phone more often for peer engagement. The use of ICTs was greater among late and middle adolescents, and parental supervision decreased as adolescents got older. Sexting is associated with a greater use of technology, mainly for peer engagement. Strict parental supervision does not mitigate adolescent sexting. Educational implications are discussed.

Keywords:
Social networks, internet, parental control, mobile phone, peer communication, adolescents

Artículo Completo
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