Uso problemático de las TIC en niños y adolescentes: análisis diferencial por sexo y edad

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), in the situation resulting from COVID-19, brought students able to receive education from home. This study examined whether ICT use is related to the emergence of post-pandemic problems, and whether there are differences by gender and age. Questionnaires measuring problematic ICT use were implemented. A total of 134 young people aged 6-19 years (M = 10.98; SD = 3.20; 53% male) were analysed. Results indicated that >50% used the internet and television every day, with a lower % using smartphones and video games. Boys made greater use of video games (p<0.001), and these differences were considered relevant at a medium effect size (r=-0.449). Likewise, 30%-40% of youths reported high frequency of problematic use of Internet, video games and smartphones, with a higher percentage among 11-19 years. Moreover, problematic video game use was higher in boys (p<0.001; r=-0.378). Older age groups reported significantly higher use internet and mobile phone use and problematic mobile phone use, and lower in TV. As a result of this pilot study, it can be observed there is problematic use of ICTs among youths, and the focus of the research should be on studying tools for the assessment and prevention of problematic ICT use, taking into account socio-demographic variables such as age and gender.